Why did Desiderius Erasmus criticize Scholastic education?

Desiderius Erasmus criticized Scholastic education primarily because he viewed its methods as formalistic, dogmatic, and disconnected from the moral and intellectual needs of his time. His objections were rooted in several key areas:1

• Logic-chopping vs. Wisdom: Erasmus disparaged the "disputatious temper" induced by Scholastic logic, which he felt prioritized sterile, argumentative exercises over the cultivation of true wisdom. He famously described the experience of attending such lectures as sitting with a "wrinkled brow and glazed eye".23
• Corruption of Language: Influenced by Lorenzo Valla, Erasmus viewed Scholasticism as a corruption of pure classical Latin. He labeled its practitioners "barbarians" for their neglect of the elegant, classical usage essential for clear thought and expression.3
• Theological Approach: Erasmus advocated for a "primitive theology" that expounded Scripture through the lens of the Church Fathers and the classical art of rhetoric, rather than the rigid, argumentative style favored by the Scholastics.2
• Pedagogical Rigidity: He opposed instruction that was imposed without the student's active participation, favoring a system based on the intelligent comprehension of classical texts and languages.1