The philosophy of Peter Abelard / John Marenbon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Marenbon, John, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Abelard, Peter, 1079-1142.

Abelard, Peter.

Philosophy, Medieval.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xx, 373 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

1. A life

2. Teaching and writings on logic

3. Abelard's theological project

Excursus I: The letters of Abelard and Heloise

Conclusion: Abelard's logic and his theology

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

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

App. Abelard as a 'critical thinker'.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

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

ISBN:

0-511-58271-4

0-511-00190-8