The study of philosophy is an ongoing discussion that has continued for thousands of years. This discussion consists of a rise, climax and fall of human thought.
The rise of philosophy began in the ancient world, and continued for thousands of years into the Christian era. The climax of philosophy occurred under the influence of St Albert the Great and St. Thomas Aquinas in the establishment of Scholastic philosophy. The fall of philosophy began during the “Renaissance” period and has continued for over six hundred years.
There are two ways to go about the study of philosophy. The simplest way is to begin by faith with the study of Scholastic philosophy, understanding it to be the climax of all philosophy. The other way is to study the full history of philosophy.
Scholastic philosophy is founded upon Aristotelian philosophy, which grew out of platonic philosophy which grew out of Socratic philosophy which grew out of Pre-Socratic philosophy. While one can learn the teaching of saint Thomas Aquinas, he cannot truly understand that teaching without understanding the teaching of Aristotle and Plato.And Socrates and Pythagoras and others.
For those who wish to know and practice the truth there is no need to study the philosophy that has developed after Scholastic philosophy, that is, fallen philosophy. All fallen philosophy consists of the (1) neglect, (2) misunderstanding, or (3) rejection of Scholastic philosophy.
