1. Facts About Christian Philosophy in Dark and Middle Ages
1.1. Initially, Christians rejected philosophy as heretical.
1.2. St. Augustine synthesized Neo-Platonic philosophy and Christian doctrine. Philosophy is only acceptable if it is in perfect harmony with the Bible.
1.3. St. Augustine rejected science because he believed the world is illusory and sinful.
2. How did Averroes and Avicenna influence Thomas Aquinas
2.1. Aquinas argued that Christians can look beyond the Bible for Truth. They can reason and science.
2.2. Aquinas developed five rational proofs for the existence of God.
2.3. Aquinas argued that studying God's creations was essential to understand the mind of God.
3. Summarize the beliefs of Averroes and Avicenna
3.1. Averroes inserted Aristotle's works in to Islamic beliefs.
3.2. Avicenna argued that scientific investigation was essential to understand truth and God.
3.3. Both Averroes and Avicenna synthesize Neo-Platonism and Aristotlean philosophy.
3.4. Averroes believed there were two types of truth, religious and philosophical.
4. How did Thomas Aquinas transform Western philosophy?
4.1. Aquinas made it acceptable to study Islamic philosophy and science.
4.2. Aquinas puts boundary on what science can investigate. If there is a conflict between science and faith, faith wins.
4.3. Aquinas opened the gateway to the Renaissance.
