Summa (Scholastic)
Summa (Scholastic)
Name of comprehensive treitises, subdivided in tractatus or quaestiones, which in their turn may contain several articles or membra. The classical procedure is that of the quaestio disputata (see quaestio) which developed from the method adopted first by the students of Canon Law (Yves of Chartres, a.o.) and applied to philosophical and theological discussion by Abelard (Sic et Non). The 12th century produced some works entitled Summa but not yet showing the strictly logical and systematical structure of the later works (e.g. Summa sacramentorum, attributed (?) to Hugh of St. Victor). The 13th century gave birth to the classical form. — R.A.