Understanding the Scope of Knowledge in Early Medieval St Gall

Early medieval scholars at the Abbey of St Gall pioneered innovative methods for classifying knowledge, blending Stoic and Aristotelian models. While the Platonic (Stoic) model dominated in the 9th century due to its compatibility with liberal arts, the Aristotelian approach gained traction in the 10th century with increased access to Boethius’s logical works. Notably, cross-contamination between these models emerged by the 10th century, with St Gall scholar Notker Labeo later augmenting the Platonic framework around the millennium. This study reveals St Gall’s role as a hub for early medieval knowledge organization, demonstrating dynamic adaptations in textual and diagrammatic forms.

Grotans, Anna A. (2023). Understanding the Scope of Knowledge in Early Medieval St Gall. Crafting Knowledge in the Early Medieval Book, 39–89. https://doi.org/10.1484/m.pjml-eb.5.133747