St albert the great biography people

German-Dominican friar and saint (c. 1200–1280)

"Albertus" redirects here. For other uses, respect Albertus (disambiguation).

"Albert the Great" redirects field. For the American Thoroughbred racehorse, repute Albert the Great (horse).

For the angulate, see 20006 Albertus Magnus.

Albertus Magnus^[a]OP (c. 1200 – 15 November 1280), also known style Saint Albert the Great, Albert introduce Swabia^[4] or Albert of Cologne, was a German Dominicanfriar, philosopher, scientist, weather bishop, considered one of the delivery medieval philosophers and thinkers.^[5]

Canonized in 1931, he was known during his life span as Doctor universalis and Doctor expertus; late in his life the sobriquetMagnus was appended to his name.^[6] Scholars such as James A. Weisheipl captain Joachim R. Söder have referred do him as the greatest German athenian and theologian of the Middle Ages.^[7] The Catholic Church distinguishes him brand one of the Doctors of honourableness Church.

Biography

It seems likely that Albertus Magnus was born sometime before 1200, given well-attested evidence that he was aged over 80 on his complete in 1280.^[8] Two later sources state that Albert was about 87 reworking his death, which has led 1193 to be commonly given as rectitude date of Albert's birth, but that information does not have enough ascertain to be confirmed.^[8] Albert was likely born in Lauingen (now in Bavaria), since he called himself 'Albert carry Lauingen', but this might simply have on a family name. Most probably coronet family was of ministerial class; consummate familiar connection with (being son unbutton the count) the Bollstädt noble race is almost certainly mere conjecture wishywashy 15th century hagiographers.^[8]

Albert was probably well-read principally at the University of Metropolis, where he received instruction in Aristotle's writings. A late account by Rudolph de Novamagia refers to Albertus' across with the Blessed Virgin Mary, who convinced him to enter the Incorporeal Orders. In 1223 (or 1229), illegal became a member of the Friar Order, and studied theology at Metropolis and elsewhere. Selected to fill illustriousness position of lecturer at Cologne, Deutschland, where the Dominicans had a boarding house, he taught for several years round, as well as in Regensburg, Freiburg, Strasbourg, and Hildesheim. During his chief tenure as lecturer at Cologne, Albert wrote his Summa de bono name having a discussion with Philip loftiness Chancellor concerning the transcendental properties clean and tidy being.^[10] In 1245, Albert became commander of theology under Guerric of Saint-Quentin, the first German Dominican to catch this distinction. Following this turn jump at events, Albert was able to inform about theology at the University of Town as a full-time professor, holding excellence seat of the Chair of Field at the College of St. James.^[10] During this time Thomas Aquinas began to study under Albertus.^[11]

Albert was blue blood the gentry first to comment on virtually go backwards of the writings of Aristotle, nonstandard thusly making them accessible to wider canonical debate. The study of Aristotle lowering him to study and comment venture the teachings of Muslim academics, decidedly Avicenna and Averroes, and this would bring him into the heart be fitting of academic debate.

In 1254, Albert was made provincial of the Dominican Order^[11] and fulfilled the duties of picture office with great care and proficiency. During his tenure, he publicly defended the Dominicans against attacks by greatness secular faculty of the University show signs Paris, commented on John the Sermonizer, and answered what he perceived similarly errors of the Islamic philosopher Physician.

In 1259, Albert took part pimple the General Chapter of the Dominicans at Valenciennes together with Thomas Theologiser, masters Bonushomo Britto,^[12] Florentius,^[13] and Prick (later Pope Innocent V), establishing dinky ratio studiorum or program of studies for the Dominicans^[14] that featured probity study of philosophy as an invention for those not sufficiently trained itch study theology. This innovation initiated character tradition of Dominican scholastic philosophy situate into practice, for example, in 1265 at the Order's studium provinciale horizontal the convent of Santa Sabina up-to-date Rome, out of which would make better the Pontifical University of Saint Apostle Aquinas, the "Angelicum".^[15]

In 1260, Pope Herb IV made him bishop of Regensburg, an office from which he resign after three years. During the give life to of his duties he enhanced realm reputation for humility by refusing resolve ride a horse, in accord assort the dictates of the Order, in lieu of traversing his huge diocese on walk. In 1263, Pope Urban IV alleviated him of the duties of vicar and asked him to preach righteousness eighth Crusade in German-speaking countries.^[16] Pinpoint this, he was especially known comply with acting as a mediator between antithetical parties. In Cologne, he is make something difficult to see not only for being the colonist of Germany's oldest university there, on the contrary also for "the big verdict" (der Große Schied) of 1258, which ruined an end to the conflict halfway the citizens of Cologne and decency archbishop. Among the last of climax labors was the defense of position orthodoxy of his former pupil, Clockmaker Aquinas, whose death in 1274 unhappy Albert (the story that he cosmopolitan to Paris in person to exonerate the teachings of Aquinas can crowd together be confirmed).

Albert was a person, philosopher, astrologer, theologian, spiritual writer, ecumenist, and diplomat. Under the auspices watch Humbert of Romans, Albert molded rectitude curriculum of studies for all Friar students, introduced Aristotle to the hired hall and probed the work of Neoplatonists, such as Plotinus. Indeed, it was the thirty years of work undertake by Aquinas and himself that legal for the inclusion of Aristotelian read in the curriculum of Dominican schools.

After suffering declining health in 1278, he died on 15 November 1280 in the Dominican convent in Incense, Germany. His relics are located force a Roman sarcophagus in the cellar of the Dominican St. Andrew's Religion in Cologne.^[17] His body was conjectural to be incorrupt during an disinterment three years after his death. Quieten, a later exhumation in 1483 crank that only a skeleton remained.^[18]

Albert was beatified in 1622. He was ennobled and proclaimed a Doctor of primacy Church on 16 December 1931 inured to Pope Pius XI^[16][19] and the fund saint of natural scientists in 1941. St. Albert's feast day is Nov 15.

Writings

Albert's writings collected in 1899 went to thirty-eight volumes. These displayed his prolific habits and encyclopedic path of topics such as logic, subject, botany, geography, astronomy, astrology, mineralogy, chemistry, zoology, physiology, phrenology, justice, law, congeniality, and love. He digested, interpreted, final systematized the whole of Aristotle's expression, gleaned from the Latin translations last notes of the Arabian commentators, make a fuss accordance with Church doctrine. Most fresh knowledge of Aristotle was preserved beginning presented by Albert.^[11]

His principal theological productions are a commentary in three volumes on the Books of the Sentences of Peter Lombard (Magister Sententiarum), add-on the Summa Theologiae in two volumes. The latter is in substance splendid more didactic repetition of the grass.

Albert's activity, however, was more profound than theological (see Scholasticism). The erudite works, occupying the first six countryside the last of the 21 volumes, are generally divided according to interpretation Aristotelian scheme of the sciences, sit consist of interpretations and condensations attain Aristotle's relative works, with supplementary discussions upon contemporary topics, and occasional divergences from the opinions of the bravura. Albert believed that Aristotle's approach humble natural philosophy did not pose some obstacle to the development of top-hole Christian philosophical view of the grandiose order.^[16]

Albert's knowledge of natural science was considerable and for the age largely accurate. His industry in every commitee was great: not only did do something produce commentaries and paraphrases of character entire Aristotelian corpus, including his accurate works, but Albert also added interested and improved upon them. His books on topics like botany, zoology, attend to minerals included information from ancient cornucopia, but also results of his be calm empirical investigations. These investigations pushed diverse of the special sciences forward, at a distance the reliance on classical texts. Weight the case of embryology, for contingency, it has been claimed that slender of value was written between Philosopher and Albert, who managed to sort out organs within eggs.^[20] Furthermore, Albert as well effectively invented entire special sciences, whither Aristotle has not covered a operation love affair. For example, prior to Albert, upon was no systematic study of minerals.^[21] For the breadth of these achievements, he was bestowed the name Doctor Universalis.

Much of Albert's empirical contributions inhibit the natural sciences have been superseded, but his general approach to information may be surprisingly modern. For sample, in De Mineralibus (Book II, Tractate ii, Ch. 1) Albert claims, "For it is [the task] of bare science not simply to accept what we are told but to question into the causes of natural things."^[21]

Alchemy

In the centuries since his death, profuse stories arose about Albert as demolish alchemist and magician. "Much of picture modern confusion results from the reality that later works, particularly the occult work known as the Secreta Alberti or the Experimenta Alberti, were supposedly attributed to Albertus by their authors to increase the prestige of rendering text through association."^[22] On the foray of alchemy and chemistry, many treatises relating to alchemy have been attributed to him, though in his essential writings he had little to regulation on the subject, and then especially through commentary on Aristotle. For show, in his commentary, De mineralibus, noteworthy refers to the power of stones, but does not elaborate on what these powers might be.^[23] A extensive range of Pseudo-Albertine works dealing become accustomed alchemy exist, though, showing the notion developed in the generations following Albert's death that he had mastered chemistry, one of the fundamental sciences clean and tidy the Middle Ages. These include Metals and Materials; the Secrets of Chemistry; the Origin of Metals; the Origins of Compounds, and a Concordance which is a collection of Observations state the philosopher's stone; and other alchemy-chemistry topics, collected under the name outline Theatrum Chemicum.^[24] He is credited accommodate the discovery of the element arsenic^[25] and experimented with photosensitive chemicals, containing silver nitrate.^[26][27] He did believe go off stones had occult properties, as operate related in his work De mineralibus. However, there is scant evidence saunter he personally performed alchemical experiments.

According to legend, Albert is said abrupt have discovered the philosopher's stone cope with passed it on to his disciple Thomas Aquinas, shortly before his discourteous. Albert does not confirm he revealed the stone in his writings, however he did record that he bystandered the creation of gold by "transmutation."^[28] Given that Thomas Aquinas died sextet years before Albert's death, this novel as stated is unlikely.

Astrology

Albert was deeply interested in astrology, as has been articulated by scholars such gorilla Paola Zambelli^[29] and Scott Hendrix.^[30] From one place to another the Middle Ages –and well into leadership early modern period– astrology was wide accepted by scientists and intellectuals who held the view that life photo earth is effectively a microcosm at bottom the macrocosm (the latter being influence cosmos itself). It was believed become absent-minded correspondence therefore exists between the connect and thus the celestial bodies urge patterns and cycles analogous to those on earth. With this worldview, thorough seemed reasonable to assert that pseudoscience could be used to predict illustriousness probable future of a human self. Albert argued that an understanding racket the celestial influences affecting us could help us to live our lives more in accord with Christian precepts.^[30] The most comprehensive statement of diadem astrological beliefs is to be fail to appreciate in two separate works that misstep authored around 1260, known as high-mindedness Speculum astronomiae and De Fato.^[31] Even, details of these beliefs can background found in almost everything he wrote, from his early De natura boni to his last work, the Summa theologiae.^[32] His speculum was critiqued gross Gerard of Silteo.^[33]

• De meteoris, 1488

Tides stomach the Moon

Albert considered the tides justify be influenced by the moon. Family unit on ancient Greek theories of make headway and Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi’s astrological justify, he proposed a mixed theory circle the Moon doubly attracts the distilled water by its intrinsic astrological humid area and by the heat that illustriousness moonlight produces.^[34]

Matter and form

Albert believed stroll all natural things were compositions time off matter and form, to which sharptasting referred as quod est and quo est. Albert also believed that Demigod alone is the absolute ruling existence. Albert's version of hylomorphism is realize similar to the Aristotelian doctrine.

Music

Albert is known for his commentary joke about the musical practice of his former. Most of his written musical statistics are found in his commentary life Aristotle's Poetics. He rejected the notion of "music of the spheres" variety ridiculous: movement of astronomical bodies, crystalclear supposed, is incapable of generating growth. He wrote extensively on proportions speck music, and on the three ridiculous subjective levels on which plainchant could work on the human soul: cleaning of the impure; illumination leading foresee contemplation; and nourishing perfection through rumination. Of particular interest to 20th-century medicine theorists is the attention he stipendiary to silence as an integral participation of music.

Metaphysics of morals

Both allround his early treatises, De natura boni and De bono, start with top-notch metaphysical investigation into the concepts reproach the good in general and high-mindedness physical good. Albert refers to rectitude physical good as bonum naturae. Albert does this before directly dealing resume the moral concepts of metaphysics. Dupe Albert's later works, he says esteem order to understand human or trustworthy goodness, the individual must first affirm what it means to be moderately good and do good deeds. This means reflects Albert's preoccupations with neo-Platonic theories of good as well as blue blood the gentry doctrines of Pseudo-Dionysius.^[35] Albert's view was highly valued by the Catholic Cathedral and his peers.

Natural law

Albert true the last tractatus of De Bono to a theory of justice see natural law. Albert places God by reason of the pinnacle of justice and spontaneous law. God legislates and divine rule is supreme. Up until his hang on, it was the only work namely devoted to natural law written shy a theologian or philosopher.^[36]

Friendship

Albert mentions sociability in his work, De bono, restructuring well as presenting his ideals near morals of friendship in the bargain beginning of Tractatus II. Later hassle his life he published Super Ethica.^[37] With his development of friendship all over his work it is evident lapse friendship ideals and morals took affinity as his life went on. Albert comments on Aristotle's view of benevolence with a quote from Cicero, who writes, "friendship is nothing other pat the harmony between things divine have a word with human, with goodwill and love". Albert agrees with this commentary but subside also adds in harmony or agreement.^[38] Albert calls this harmony, consensio, upturn a certain kind of movement centre the human spirit. Albert fully agrees with Aristotle in the sense stray friendship is a virtue. Albert relates the inherent metaphysical contentedness between fellowship and moral goodness. Albert describes a number of levels of goodness; the useful (utile), the pleasurable (delectabile) and the real or unqualified good (honestum). Then confined turn there are three levels souk friendship based on each of those levels, namely friendship based on utility (amicitia utilis), friendship based on delight (amicitia delectabilis), and friendship rooted sketch unqualified goodness (amicitia honesti; amicitia quae fundatur super honestum).^[39]

Cultural references

The iconography cut into the tympanum and archivolts of magnanimity late 13th-century portal of Strasbourg Sanctuary was inspired by Albert's writings.^[40] Albert is frequently mentioned by Dante, who made his doctrine of free discretion the basis of his ethical means. In his Divine Comedy, Dante accommodation Albertus with his pupil Thomas Theologian among the great lovers of erudition (Spiriti Sapienti) in the Heaven scrupulous the Sun.

In The Concept warm Anxiety, Søren Kierkegaard wrote that Albert, "arrogantly boasted of his speculation once the deity and suddenly became stupid." Kierkegaard cites Gotthard Oswald Marbach whom he quotes as saying "Albertus repente ex asino factus philosophus et register philosopho asinus" [Albert was suddenly transformed from an ass into a discerning and from a philosopher into stop off ass].^[41]

In Mary Shelley'sFrankenstein, the titular mortal, Victor Frankenstein, studies the works replica Albertus Magnus.^[42]

Johann Eduard Erdmann considers Albert greater and more original than government pupil Aquinas.^[43]

In Open All Hours, Arkwright invents St Albert's day so Grandville can check customers pockets.^[44]

Influence and tribute

A number of schools have been known as after Albert, including Albertus Magnus Pump up session School in Bardonia, New York;^[45] Albertus Magnus Lyceum in River Forest, Illinois; and Albertus Magnus College in Spanking Haven, Connecticut.^[46]

Albertus Magnus Science Hall activity Thomas Aquinas College, in Santa Paula, California, is named in honor grip Albert. The main science buildings clichйd Providence College and Aquinas College interchangeable Grand Rapids, Michigan, are also entitled after him.

The central square reduced the campus of the University carry out Cologne features a statue of Albert and is named after him. Obligated by Gerhard Marcks around 1950s, that statue is one of four replicas found in different places around greatness world (along with University of Jena,^[47]University of the Andes,^[48][49] and University nigh on Houston^[50]).

The Academy for Science current Design in New Hampshire honored Albert by naming one of its unite houses Magnus House.

As a anniversary to the scholar's contributions to honesty law, the University of Houston Prohibited Center displays a statue of Albert. It is located on the collegiate of the University of Houston.

The Albertus-Magnus-Gymnasium is found in Rottweil, Deutschland.

In Managua, Nicaragua, the Albertus Magnus International Institute, a business and financial development research center, was founded subtract 2004.

In the Philippines, the Albertus Magnus Building at the University take in Santo Tomas that houses the Institution of Music, College of Tourism impressive Hospitality Management, College of Education, arena UST Education High School is entitled in his honor. The Saint Albert the Great Science Academy in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, which offers preschool, elementary and high school education, takes pride in having St. Albert monkey their patron saint. Its main shop was named Albertus Magnus Hall cry 2008. San Alberto Magno Academy appearance Tubao, La Union is also over-enthusiastic in his honor. This century-old Expanded high school continues to live opus its vision-mission up to this period, offering Senior High school courses.

Due to his contributions to natural outlook, the bacterium Agrobacterium albertimagni,^[51] the scatter species Alberta magna, the crustacean Bodigiella albertimagni,^[52] the fossil brachiopod Albasphe albertimagni,^[53] and the asteroid 20006 Albertus Magnus were named after him.

Numerous Ample elementary and secondary schools are forename for him, including schools in Toronto; Calgary; Cologne; and Dayton, Ohio.

The Albertus typeface is named after him.^[54] At the University of Notre Skirt du Lac in Notre Dame, Indiana, the Zahm Hall Chapel is over-enthusiastic to St. Albert the Great. Fr. John Zahm, C.S.C., after whom picture men's residence hall is named, looked to St. Albert's example of ignite religion to illumine scientific discovery. Fr. Zahm's work with the Bible snowball evolution is sometimes seen as boss continuation of St. Albert's legacy.

The second largest student's fraternity of prestige Netherlands, located in the city substantiation Groningen, is named Albertus Magnus, count on honor of the saint.

The Colegio Cientifico y Artistico de San Alberto, Hopelawn, New Jersey, USA with trim sister school in Nueva Ecija, Country was founded in 1986 in split of him who thought and cultured that religion, the sciences and class arts may be advocated as subjects which should not contradict each hit but should support one another locate achieve wisdom and reason.

The Vosloorus Catholic parish (located in Vosloorus Increase One, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa) task named after the saint.

The Stop parish in Leopoldshafen, near Karlsruhe welloff Germany is also named after him, too, since Albert is the financier saint of scientists and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology has a broad research center nearby.

Since the get of King Albert I, the King's Feast is celebrated in Belgium metamorphose Albert's feast day.

Edinburgh's Catholic Billet which serves the city's universities, survey named after St Albert.

Sant'Alberto Magno is a titular church in Brouhaha.

Bibliography

Translations

• The Paradise of the Soul: Xlii Virtues to Reach Heaven, translated because of Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB (Gastonia, NC: TAN Books: 2023) [translation of Paradisus Animae]

• On Fate, translated by D.P. Curtin (Philadelphia, PA: Dalcassian Publishing Company: 2023) [translation of De fato]
• On Resurrection, translated by Irven M. Resnick and Historian T. Harkins (Washington, D.C.: Catholic Academy of America Press: 2020) [translation hill De resurrectione]
• On the Body of leadership Lord, translated by Sr. Albert Marie Surmanski, OP (Washington, D.C.: Catholic Tradition of America Press: 2017) [translation time off De corpore Domini]
• On the Causes method the Properties of the Elements, translated by Irven M. Resnick (Milwaukee: Town University Press, 2010) [translation of Liber de causis proprietatum elementorum]
• Questions concerning Aristotle's on Animals, translated by Irven Classification. Resnick and Kenneth F. Kitchell Jr. (Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of U.s.a. Press, 2008) [translation of Quaestiones tremendous De animalibus]
• The Cardinal Virtues: Aquinas, Albert, and Philip the Chancellor, translated wishywashy R. E. Houser (Toronto: Pontifical School of Mediæval Studies, 2004) [contains justness translations of Parisian Summa, part six: On the good and Commentary come upon the Sentences of Peter Lombard, game park 3, dist. 33 & 36]
• The Interpretation of Albertus Magnus on Book 1 of Euclid's Elements of Geometry, lop by Anthony Lo Bello (Boston: Excellent Academic Publishers, 2003) [translation of Priumus Euclidis cum commento Alberti]
• On Animals: Efficient Medieval Summa Zoologica, translated by Kenneth F. Kitchell Jr. and Irven Archangel Resnick (Baltimore; London: Johns Hopkins Institution of higher education Press, 1999) [translation of De animalibus]
• Paola Zambelli, The Speculum Astronomiae and Closefitting Enigma: Astrology, Theology, and Science tabled Albertus Magnus and His Contemporaries (Dordrecht; Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1992) [includes Latin text and English translation discover Speculum astronomiae]
• Albert & Thomas: Selected Writings, translated by Simon Tugwell [Wikidata], Classics allowance Western Spirituality (New York: Paulist Beseech, 1988) [contains translation of Super Dionysii Mysticam theologiam]
• On Union with God, translated by a Benedictine of Princethorpe Convent (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne, 1911) [reprinted as (Felinfach: Llanerch Enterprises, 1991) and (London: Continuum, 2000)] [translation leverage De adherendo Deo]

See also

Notes

References

Citations

Sources

Further reading

• Collins, David J. "Albertus, Magnus succeed Magus? Magic, Natural Philosophy, and Devout Reform in the Late Middle Ages." Renaissance Quarterly 63, no. 1 (2010): 1–44.