Just and Sinner Podcast Christian Thomasius and the Move Away from Scholasticism
Feb 13, 2026
A tour of the shift away from scholasticism toward modern philosophy and law. Stories about a controversial claim on bigamy and bold moves to teach in the vernacular. Debates over ethics, common-sense epistemology, and the role of reason versus revelation. Founding a modern university and clashes with authorities highlight the cultural and intellectual upheaval.
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Thomasius As A Turning Point
- Christian Thomasius marks a key shift from scholasticism toward German rationalism and modern academic methods.
- His work links Leibniz, Pufendorf, Thomasius, and Wolff as the chain shaping Enlightenment thought in Germany.
Bigamy Triggers Public Backlash
- Thomasius published a provocative essay on bigamy arguing natural law does not condemn it, which enraged contemporaries.
- Pastors preached against him and his arrest was ordered, forcing him to seek protection in Berlin.
Lecture In German As A Statement
- Lecturing in German (1687) symbolized a deliberate break with Latin scholasticism and opened philosophy to the public.
- Thomasius championed national language and broader access to learning, linking pedagogy to cultural change.