When did the Scholasticism movement begin?

The Scholasticism movement is widely recognized as beginning in the 11th century, marking a significant development in medieval philosophy and theology. This intellectual tradition sought to reconcile faith with reason and was primarily centered in medieval universities, where scholars engaged in critical analysis and dialectical reasoning rooted in the works of earlier philosophers such as Aristotle.

Scholasticism became particularly influential as it encouraged rigorous debate and systematic theology, laying the groundwork for much of Western educational thought that followed. The movement continued to evolve through subsequent centuries, but its origins can be traced firmly back to the 11th century when figures such as Peter Abelard started to blend classical philosophical inquiry with Christian doctrine, setting the stage for richer theological discussions in the subsequent 12th and 13th centuries.

Understanding this timeline is essential, as it allows one to grasp the foundational role that Scholasticism played in shaping the approach to education, philosophy, and religious thought during and after the medieval period.