The philosophy of Peter Abelard

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The philosophy of Peter Abelard

John Marenbon

Cambridge University Press, 1997

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Peter Abelard

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 350-361) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

This 1997 book offers a major reassessment of the philosophy of Peter Abelard (1079-1142) which argues that he was not, as usually presented, a predominantly critical thinker but a constructive one. By way of evidence the author offers analyses of frequently discussed topics in Abelard's philosophy, and examines other areas such as the nature of substances and accidents, cognition, the definition of 'good' and 'evil', virtues and merit, and practical ethics in detail. Part I discusses Abelard's life and works, and considers problems of chronology and canon (including the question of the authenticity of the correspondence with Heloise). Part II analyses Abelard's ontology, epistemology and semantics, showing how he tried to reconstruct the ideas he had learned from Aristotle, Porphyry and Boethius to fit his presumption that there is nothing which is not a particular. Part III analyses Abelard's ethical theory, showing that it is far wider and more sophisticated than has been believed.

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • List of abbreviations
  • Note on the reference system
  • Introduction
  • Part I: 1. A life
  • 2. Teachings and writings on logic
  • 3. Abelard's theological project
  • Excursus I: the letters of Abelard and Heloise
  • Conclusion: Abelard's logic and his theory
  • Part II: Introduction
  • 4. Logic, philosophy and exegesis
  • 5. Substance, differentiae and accidents
  • 6. Forms and language
  • 7. Perception and knowledge
  • 8. Universals
  • Conclusion: dicta, non-things and the limits of Abelard's ontology
  • Part III: Introduction
  • 9. Ethics, God's power and his wisdom
  • 10. God's goodness: theodicy and the meaning of 'good'
  • 11. Act, intention and consent
  • 12. Contempt, law and conscience
  • 13. Virtue, love and merit
  • Excursus II: love, selflessness and Heloise
  • 14. Ethics, society and practice
  • Conclusion: Abelard's theological doctrines and his philosophical ethics
  • General conclusion
  • Appendix: Abelard as a 'critical thinker'
  • Select bibliography
  • Index.

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