Biography of Siger of Brabant

(c. 1240-1283(?))

Siger of Brabant was a 13th century theolgian. He became an important teacher at the University of Paris, where he spread his teachings concerning Aristotle's interpretation of the nature of the soul. The University of Paris established itself as one of the greatest schools during the Middle Ages, known particularly for instruction concerning the dialectic method, theories of metaphysics and theology. Philosphers such as Brabant found a more lenient atmosphere there compared with academia in the rest of Eurrope, which largely remained under the influence of the powerful Vatican. Much of his life was defined by the strife he encountered because of his efforts to teach and expound on Aristotelian philosophy without explaining its supposed connections to Christian faith. Aristotle was a popular philosopher to study in the Middle Ages, and faithful Catholics like Thomas Aquinas found ways to reconcile the ancient philosopher's work with the medieval Catholic interpretation of Christianity. In 1277 Siger was condemned by the Catholic Church for his general proclivity for pure Aristotelian philosophy, and more specifically for his denial of divine providence. Because Siger of Brabant believed something could be true in terms of philosophy and simultaneously false with regard to religion, many modern philosophers believe it is possible that Siger of Brabant considered himself a Christian despite his persecution at the hands of the church.

His controversial teachings led him to imprisonment in Italy, where he was eventually assasinated. One popular rumor purports that he was stabbed by an angry secretary wielding a lethal pen, symbolically destroying him with the veryinstrument with which he had caused so much controversy. He was murdered sometime between 1281 and 1283. Dante immortalized him in the Paradise of his Divine Comedy, where he depicts Siger of Brabant sitting with St. Thomas, their differing philosophies reconciled at last in Paradise. “That is the eternal light of Siger/ who is teaching in the Rue du Fouarre/ put truths which displeased into syllogisms.”

This is a map of the Low Countries, the term used to describe what is now the Netherlands. The Brabant territories, from whence Siger got his medieval surname, are toward the middle of the map.

http://home.scarlet.be/~tpm09245/lang/bnl.jpg

Site Last Updated: 11/01/2005