The Religious Influence of Albertus Magnus on Modern Education

To the average person, even to the student of history, the name of Albert the Great is of little significance. The name is remembered but it does not call definite facts to mind. Other names like Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon, Duns Scotus, have had a more popular appeal and their luster has served to dim the glory rightly deserved by that of their predecessor and contemporary, Albert. The reaper of the harvest is remembered while the sower is often forgotten. Had Albert appeared as a single light in his century, had the greatness of his pupil Thomas Aquinas been any the less, his name might have escaped somewhat the obscurity which now surrounds it.By reason of his influence on modern education Albertus Magnus, Albert the Great, deserves more consideration than he has received or is now receiving. True, he did not create a new system of education, neither did he inaugurate a revival of learning. In his quiet, busy, religious life he did little more than work a change in thought, in attitudes. Thus unconsciously he served a great purpose, preparing the way for that most progressive of all intellectual principles - the right of private judgment. If the Reformation movement under Luther has brought blessing to the world, its blessing is nothing more than the full fruit of a seed once carefully nourished by this great, yet unpraised, thinker and teacher of the thirteenth century.