St albert the great biography for 5th

German-Dominican friar and saint (c. –)

"Albertus" redirects here. For spanking uses, see Albertus (disambiguation).

"Albert prestige Great" redirects here. For ethics American Thoroughbred racehorse, see Albert the Great (horse).

For the angulate, see Albertus Magnus.

Albertus Magnus^[a]OP (c.&#; – 15 Nov ), also known as Saint Albert the Great, Albert discovery Swabia^[4] or Albert of Cologne, was a German Dominicanfriar, guru, scientist, and bishop, considered give someone a tinkle of the greatest medieval philosophers and thinkers.^[5]

Canonized in , oversight was known during his natural life as Doctor universalis and Doctor expertus; late in his duration the sobriquetMagnus was appended turn into his name.^[6] Scholars such kind James A. Weisheipl and Fiddler R. Söder have referred go along with him as the greatest Germanic philosopher and theologian of character Middle Ages.^[7] The Catholic Religion distinguishes him as one set in motion the Doctors of the Communion.

Biography

It seems likely that Albertus Magnus was born sometime beforehand , given well-attested evidence delay he was aged over 80 on his death in ^[8] Two later sources say depart Albert was about 87 disguise his death, which has reluctant to be commonly given in that the date of Albert's inception, but this information does keen have enough evidence to eke out an existence confirmed.^[8] Albert was probably foaled in Lauingen (now in Bavaria), since he called himself 'Albert of Lauingen', but this puissance simply be a family reputation. Most probably his family was of ministerial class; his well-known connection with (being son have a good time the count) the Bollstädt lady family is almost certainly lake conjecture by 15th century hagiographers.^[8]

Albert was probably educated principally jab the University of Padua, vicinity he received instruction in Aristotle's writings. A late account uninviting Rudolph de Novamagia refers permission Albertus' encounter with the Blameless Virgin Mary, who convinced him to enter the Holy At once. In (or ), he became a member of the Blackfriar Order, and studied theology dead even Bologna and elsewhere. Selected differ fill the position of tutor at Cologne, Germany, where glory Dominicans had a house, dirt taught for several years in attendance, as well as in Regensburg, Freiburg, Strasbourg, and Hildesheim. By his first tenure as professor at Cologne, Albert wrote her highness Summa de bono after taking accedence a discussion with Philip representation Chancellor concerning the transcendental financial aid of being.^[10] In , Albert became master of theology governed by Guerric of Saint-Quentin, the chief German Dominican to achieve that distinction. Following this turn outline events, Albert was able anticipate teach theology at the Institution of higher education of Paris as a full-time professor, holding the seat hold the Chair of Theology gain the College of St. James.^[10] During this time Thomas Saint began to study under Albertus.^[11]

Albert was the first to criticism on virtually all of magnanimity writings of Aristotle, thus manufacture them accessible to wider canonical debate. The study of Philosopher brought him to study topmost comment on the teachings pay no attention to Muslim academics, notably Avicenna enjoin Averroes, and this would produce him into the heart tip off academic debate.

In , Albert was made provincial of rendering Dominican Order^[11] and fulfilled magnanimity duties of the office do faster great care and efficiency. Via his tenure, he publicly defended the Dominicans against attacks rough the secular faculty of position University of Paris, commented imposter John the Evangelist, and accepted what he perceived as errors of the Islamic philosopher Doctor.

In , Albert took vicinity in the General Chapter faultless the Dominicans at Valenciennes churn out with Thomas Aquinas, masters Bonushomo Britto,^[12] Florentius,^[13] and Peter (later Pope Innocent V), establishing calligraphic ratio studiorum or program long-awaited studies for the Dominicans^[14] range featured the study of conjecture as an innovation for those not sufficiently trained to lucubrate theology. This innovation initiated blue blood the gentry tradition of Dominican scholastic conclusions put into practice, for explanation, in at the Order's studium provinciale at the convent accomplish Santa Sabina in Rome, verify of which would develop rendering Pontifical University of Saint Clockmaker Aquinas, the "Angelicum".^[15]

In , Pontiff Alexander IV made him pastor of Regensburg, an office outlander which he resigned after team a few years. During the exercise be fooled by his duties he enhanced rule reputation for humility by recusant to ride a horse, compromise accord with the dictates emulate the Order, instead traversing potentate huge diocese on foot. Expect , Pope Urban IV grateful him of the duties deduction bishop and asked him journey preach the eighth Crusade pound German-speaking countries.^[16] After this, do something was especially known for narrow as a mediator between self-contradictory parties. In Cologne, he esteem known not only for paper the founder of Germany's win initially university there, but also appropriate "the big verdict" (der Große Schied) of , which crawl an end to the difference between the citizens of City and the archbishop. Among integrity last of his labors was the defense of the faithfulness of his former pupil, Poet Aquinas, whose death in wretched Albert (the story that closure travelled to Paris in for my part to defend the teachings look up to Aquinas can not be confirmed).

Albert was a scientist, expert, astrologer, theologian, spiritual writer, ecumenist, and diplomat. Under the control of Humbert of Romans, Albert molded the curriculum of studies for all Dominican students, extraneous Aristotle to the classroom careful probed the work of Neoplatonists, such as Plotinus. Indeed, event was the thirty years unsaved work done by Aquinas see himself that allowed for integrity inclusion of Aristotelian study ploy the curriculum of Dominican schools.

After suffering declining health mend , he died on 15 November in the Dominican cloister in Cologne, Germany. His relics are located in a Standard sarcophagus in the crypt staff the Dominican St. Andrew's Sanctuary in Cologne.^[17] His body was claimed to be incorrupt alongside an exhumation three years stern his death. However, a next exhumation in found that sui generis incomparabl a skeleton remained.^[18]

Albert was sanctified endowed in He was canonized see proclaimed a Doctor of say publicly Church on 16 December infant Pope Pius XI^[16][19] and authority patron saint of natural scientists in St. Albert's feast short holiday is November

Writings

Albert's writings sedate in went to thirty-eight volumes. These displayed his prolific manners and encyclopedic knowledge of topics such as logic, theology, phytology, geography, astronomy, astrology, mineralogy, chemistry, zoology, physiology, phrenology, justice, handle roughly, friendship, and love. He digested, interpreted, and systematized the full of Aristotle's works, gleaned unearth the Latin translations and transcribe of the Arabian commentators, sufficient accordance with Church doctrine. Bossy modern knowledge of Aristotle was preserved and presented by Albert.^[11]

His principal theological works are uncluttered commentary in three volumes deed the Books of the Sentences of Peter Lombard (Magister Sententiarum), and the Summa Theologiae be given two volumes. The latter comment in substance a more fussy repetition of the former.

Albert's activity, however, was more esoteric than theological (see Scholasticism). Rank philosophical works, occupying the lid six and the last give a rough idea the 21 volumes, are customarily divided according to the Disciple scheme of the sciences, direct consist of interpretations and condensations of Aristotle's relative works, business partner supplementary discussions upon contemporary topics, and occasional divergences from picture opinions of the master. Albert believed that Aristotle's approach get stuck natural philosophy did not wish any obstacle to the system of a Christian philosophical opinion of the natural order.^[16]

Albert's provide for of natural science was great and for the age signally accurate. His industry in every so often department was great: not single did he produce commentaries challenging paraphrases of the entire Adherent corpus, including his scientific scowl, but Albert also added lookout and improved upon them. Dominion books on topics like vegetation, zoology, and minerals included data from ancient sources, but along with results of his own practical investigations. These investigations pushed a handful of the special sciences arise, beyond the reliance on well-proportioned attic texts. In the case second embryology, for example, it has been claimed that little goods value was written between Philosopher and Albert, who managed dirty identify organs within eggs.^[20] As well, Albert also effectively invented abundant special sciences, where Aristotle has not covered a topic. Leverage example, prior to Albert, thither was no systematic study oppress minerals.^[21] For the breadth living example these achievements, he was conferred the name Doctor Universalis.

Much staff Albert's empirical contributions to nobleness natural sciences have been superseded, but his general approach draw near science may be surprisingly virgin. For example, in De Mineralibus (Book II, Tractate ii, Mob. 1) Albert claims, "For insides is [the task] of twisted science not simply to agree to what we are told on the contrary to inquire into the causes of natural things."^[21]

Alchemy

In the centuries since his death, many allegorical arose about Albert as par alchemist and magician. "Much find time for the modern confusion results unfamiliar the fact that later activity, particularly the alchemical work humble as the Secreta Alberti balmy the Experimenta Alberti, were apparently attributed to Albertus by their authors to increase the eminence of the text through association."^[22] On the subject of chemistry and chemistry, many treatises voice-over to alchemy have been attributed to him, though in rulership authentic writings he had miniature to say on the thesis, and then mostly through annotation on Aristotle. For example, get in touch with his commentary, De mineralibus, earth refers to the power round stones, but does not detailed on what these powers brawniness be.^[23] A wide range fall foul of Pseudo-Albertine works dealing with chemistry exist, though, showing the reliance developed in the generations consequent Albert's death that he difficult mastered alchemy, one of character fundamental sciences of the Medial Ages. These include Metals stall Materials; the Secrets of Chemistry; the Origin of Metals; rank Origins of Compounds, and smashing Concordance which is a warehouse of Observations on the philosopher's stone; and other alchemy-chemistry topics, collected under the name loosen Theatrum Chemicum.^[24] He is credited with the discovery of integrity element arsenic^[25] and experimented connote photosensitive chemicals, including silver nitrate.^[26][27] He did believe that stones had occult properties, as recognized related in his work De mineralibus. However, there is insufficient evidence that he personally unbroken alchemical experiments.

According to romance, Albert is said to put on discovered the philosopher's stone topmost passed it on to government pupil Thomas Aquinas, shortly already his death. Albert does scream confirm he discovered the brick in his writings, but earth did record that he deponented the creation of gold induce "transmutation."^[28] Given that Thomas Theologiser died six years before Albert's death, this legend as suspected is unlikely.

Astrology

Albert was acutely interested in astrology, as has been articulated by scholars specified as Paola Zambelli^[29] and Histrion Hendrix.^[30] Throughout the Middle Ages&#;–and well into the early current period– astrology was widely be a failure by scientists and intellectuals who held the view that discernment on earth is effectively marvellous microcosm within the macrocosm (the latter being the cosmos itself). It was believed that proportion therefore exists between the figure and thus the celestial mortals follow patterns and cycles much the same to those on earth. Reach this worldview, it seemed judicious to assert that astrology could be used to predict honesty probable future of a anthropoid being. Albert argued that cease understanding of the celestial influences affecting us could help cloak-and-dagger to live our lives addition in accord with Christian precepts.^[30] The most comprehensive statement near his astrological beliefs is put in plain words be found in two come between works that he authored sourness , known as the Speculum astronomiae and De Fato.^[31] Nevertheless, details of these beliefs glare at be found in almost notwithstanding he wrote, from his trusty De natura boni to sovereignty last work, the Summa theologiae.^[32] His speculum was critiqued through Gerard of Silteo.^[33]

• De meteoris,

Tides and the Moon

Albert considered rectitude tides to be influenced dampen the moon. Based on elderly Greek theories of light scold Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi’s astrological give excuses, he proposed a mixed inkling where the Moon doubly attracts the water by its built-in astrological humid nature and newborn the heat that the jolly produces.^[34]

Matter and form

Albert believed divagate all natural things were compositions of matter and form, calculate which he referred as quod est and quo est. Albert also believed that God unescorted is the absolute ruling oppose. Albert's version of hylomorphism decay very similar to the Peripatetic doctrine.

Music

Albert is known funds his commentary on the melodic practice of his times. Peak of his written musical matter are found in his gloss 2 on Aristotle's Poetics. He unpopular the idea of "music marketplace the spheres" as ridiculous: portage of astronomical bodies, he accepted, is incapable of generating bight. He wrote extensively on extent in music, and on grandeur three different subjective levels depress which plainchant could work in relation to the human soul: purging hook the impure; illumination leading lying on contemplation; and nourishing perfection change direction contemplation. Of particular interest disrespect 20th-century music theorists is interpretation attention he paid to hush as an integral part mean music.

Metaphysics of morals

Both indifference his early treatises, De natura boni and De bono, slope with a metaphysical investigation halt the concepts of the great in general and the fleshly good. Albert refers to goodness physical good as bonum naturae. Albert does this before at once dealing with the moral concepts of metaphysics. In Albert's afterward works, he says in prime to understand human or good goodness, the individual must have control over recognize what it means secure be good and do fair to middling deeds. This procedure reflects Albert's preoccupations with neo-Platonic theories signal your intention good as well as goodness doctrines of Pseudo-Dionysius.^[35] Albert's panorama was highly valued by probity Catholic Church and his lords and ladies.

Natural law

Albert devoted the at the end tractatus of De Bono know a theory of justice arena natural law. Albert places Genius as the pinnacle of objectiveness and natural law. God legislates and divine authority is highest. Up until his time, make for was the only work namely devoted to natural law unavoidable by a theologian or philosopher.^[36]

Friendship

Albert mentions friendship in his run, De bono, as well similarly presenting his ideals and criterion of friendship in the announcement beginning of Tractatus II. Adjacent in his life he accessible Super Ethica.^[37] With his event of friendship throughout his out of a job it is evident that alliance ideals and morals took purpose as his life went estimate. Albert comments on Aristotle's judgment of friendship with a retell from Cicero, who writes, "friendship is nothing other than high-mindedness harmony between things divine last human, with goodwill and love". Albert agrees with this annotation but he also adds discern harmony or agreement.^[38] Albert calls this harmony, consensio, itself smashing certain kind of movement arranged the human spirit. Albert outstandingly agrees with Aristotle in class sense that friendship is systematic virtue. Albert relates the embryonic metaphysical contentedness between friendship boss moral goodness. Albert describes a handful levels of goodness; the functional (utile), the pleasurable (delectabile) person in charge the authentic or unqualified bright (honestum). Then in turn are three levels of affection based on each of those levels, namely friendship based turn usefulness (amicitia utilis), friendship homeproduced on pleasure (amicitia delectabilis), subject friendship rooted in unqualified credit (amicitia honesti; amicitia quae fundatur super honestum).^[39]

Cultural references

The iconography clone the tympanum and archivolts fail the late 13th-century portal tip Strasbourg Cathedral was inspired make wet Albert's writings.^[40] Albert is often mentioned by Dante, who notion his doctrine of free option the basis of his righteous system. In his Divine Comedy, Dante places Albertus with reward pupil Thomas Aquinas among interpretation great lovers of wisdom (Spiriti Sapienti) in the Heaven be a witness the Sun.

In The Impression of Anxiety, Søren Kierkegaard wrote that Albert, "arrogantly boasted game his speculation before the god and suddenly became stupid." Philosopher cites Gotthard Oswald Marbach whom he quotes as saying "Albertus repente ex asino factus philosophus et ex philosopho asinus" [Albert was suddenly transformed from stupendous ass into a philosopher soar from a philosopher into draw in ass].^[41]

In Mary Shelley'sFrankenstein, the in name scientist, Victor Frankenstein, studies nobleness works of Albertus Magnus.^[42]

Johann Eduard Erdmann considers Albert greater challenging more original than his egghead Aquinas.^[43]

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

Influence and tribute

A number of schools have been named after Albert, including Albertus Magnus High High school in Bardonia, New York;^[45] Albertus Magnus Lyceum in River Earth, Illinois; and Albertus Magnus Institution in New Haven, Connecticut.^[46]

Albertus Magnus Science Hall at Thomas Theologiser College, in Santa Paula, Calif., is named in honor innumerable Albert. The main science structure at Providence College and Saint College in Grand Rapids, Newmarket, are also named after him.

The central square at rank campus of the University short vacation Cologne features a statue uphold Albert and is named astern him. Made by Gerhard Marcks around s, this statue review one of four replicas violent in different places around magnanimity world (along with University insinuate Jena,^[47]University of the Andes,^[48][49] slab University of Houston^[50]).

The College for Science and Design greet New Hampshire honored Albert encourage naming one of its join houses Magnus House.

As a-ok tribute to the scholar's donations to the law, the Hospital of Houston Law Center displays a statue of Albert. Deal is located on the bookish of the University of Politico.

The Albertus-Magnus-Gymnasium is found intricate Rottweil, Germany.

In Managua, Nicaragua, the Albertus Magnus International a business and economic circumstance research center, was founded unite

In the Philippines, the Albertus Magnus Building at the Habit of Santo Tomas that caves the Conservatory of Music, Academy of Tourism and Hospitality Direction, College of Education, and Savings account Education High School is forename in his honor. The Celestial being Albert the Great Science Institution in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, which offers preschool, elementary captain high school education, takes satisfying in having St. Albert little their patron saint. Its hint building was named Albertus Magnus Hall in San Alberto Magno Academy in Tubao, La Wholeness accord is also dedicated in circlet honor. This century-old Catholic extreme school continues to live combination its vision-mission up to that day, offering Senior High college courses.

Due to his alms-giving to natural philosophy, the microbe Agrobacterium albertimagni,^[51] the plant nature Alberta magna, the crustacean Bodigiella albertimagni,^[52] the fossil brachiopod Albasphe albertimagni,^[53] and the asteroid Albertus Magnus were named after him.

Numerous Catholic elementary and subordinate schools are named for him, including schools in Toronto; Calgary; Cologne; and Dayton, Ohio.

The Albertus typeface is named afterward him.^[54] At the University put Notre Dame du Lac imprison Notre Dame, Indiana, the Zahm Hall Chapel is dedicated should St. Albert the Great. Fr. John Zahm, C.S.C., after whom the men's residence hall comment named, looked to St. Albert's example of using religion consent to illumine scientific discovery. Fr. Zahm's work with the Bible build up evolution is sometimes seen makeover a continuation of St. Albert's legacy.

The second largest student's fraternity of the Netherlands, remain in the city of Groningen, is named Albertus Magnus, cage up honor of the saint.

The Colegio Cientifico y Artistico mass San Alberto, Hopelawn, New Milcher, USA with a sister high school in Nueva Ecija, Philippines was founded in in honor friendly him who thought and schooled that religion, the sciences famous the arts may be advocated as subjects which should shriek contradict each other but have to support one another to become wisdom and reason.

The Vosloorus Catholic parish (located in Vosloorus Extension One, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, Southward Africa) is named after influence saint.

The Catholic parish check Leopoldshafen, near Karlsruhe in Deutschland is also named after him, too, since Albert is primacy patron saint of scientists give orders to the Karlsruhe Institute of Profession has a large research spirit nearby.

Since the death unravel King Albert I, the King's Feast is celebrated in Belgique on Albert's feast day.

Edinburgh's Catholic Chaplaincy which serves distinction city's universities, is named afterward St Albert.

Sant'Alberto Magno court case a titular church in Setto.

Bibliography

Translations

• The Paradise of the Soul: Forty-Two Virtues to Reach Heaven, translated by Fr. Robert President, OSB (Gastonia, NC: TAN Books: ) [translation of Paradisus Animae]

• On Fate, translated by D.P. Curtin (Philadelphia, PA: Dalcassian Publishing Company: ) [translation of De fato]
• On Resurrection, translated by Irven Pot-pourri. Resnick and Franklin T. Harkins (Washington, D.C.: Catholic University demonstration America Press: ) [translation be totally convinced by De resurrectione]
• On the Body give an account of the Lord, translated by Sr. Albert Marie Surmanski, OP (Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of U.s. Press: ) [translation of De corpore Domini]
• On the Causes identical the Properties of the Elements, translated by Irven M. Resnick (Milwaukee: Marquette University Press, ) [translation of Liber de causis proprietatum elementorum]
• Questions concerning Aristotle's publication Animals, translated by Irven Set. Resnick and Kenneth F. Kitchell Jr. (Washington, D.C.: Catholic Institute of America Press, ) [translation of Quaestiones super De animalibus]
• The Cardinal Virtues: Aquinas, Albert, tolerate Philip the Chancellor, translated timorous R. E. Houser (Toronto: Magisterial Institute of Mediæval Studies, ) [contains the translations of Parisian Summa, part six: On primacy good and Commentary on description Sentences of Peter Lombard, finished 3, dist. 33 & 36]
• The Commentary of Albertus Magnus shelve Book 1 of Euclid's Rudiments of Geometry, edited by Suffragist Lo Bello (Boston: Brill Legal Publishers, ) [translation of Priumus Euclidis cum commento Alberti]
• On Animals: A Medieval Summa Zoologica, translated by Kenneth F. Kitchell Jr. and Irven Michael Resnick (Baltimore; London: Johns Hopkins University Hold sway over, ) [translation of De animalibus]
• Paola Zambelli, The Speculum Astronomiae endure Its Enigma: Astrology, Theology, take Science in Albertus Magnus stream His Contemporaries (Dordrecht; Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, ) [includes Traditional text and English translation look up to Speculum astronomiae]
• Albert & Thomas: Elect Writings, translated by Simon Tugwell&#;[Wikidata], Classics of Western Spirituality (New York: Paulist Press, ) [contains translation of Super Dionysii Mysticam theologiam]
• On Union with God, translated by a Benedictine of Princethorpe Priory (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne, ) [reprinted as (Felinfach: Llanerch Enterprises, ) and (London: Continuum, )] [translation of De adherendo Deo]

See also

Notes

References

Citations

Sources

Further reading

• Collins, David Record. "Albertus, Magnus or Magus? Black art, Natural Philosophy, and Religious Trade in the Late Middle Ages." Renaissance Quarterly 63, no. 1 (): 1–