Contradictio

The theme of contradiction has a multiple and extensive significance for the history of theology in the Middle Ages. It goes far beyond a merely formal aspect, since it concerns the character and the quality of scholastic theology as a whole. It is however necessary to distinguish between the theoretical examination of contradiction and the way of dealing with it. Thus, Reinhold Rieger begins by taking a look at its background in the history of philosophy. In theology itself he applies the philosophical concept of contradiction critically and methodically from the standpoint of the theory of science, the theory of knowledge and material dogmatics. He presents the theoretical and the assessing reflections on the significance of the logical contradiction, thus illustrating an essential methodical feature of medieval theology.