Monologion and Proslogion: with the replies of Gaunilo and Anselm (Hackett Classics)

Anselm of Canterbury, far and away the best philosopher of the eleventh century, described his philosophical work as faith seeking understanding. Following Augustine of Hippo, he argues that without faith he could not find the convincing rational arguments that establish understanding and that convincing evidence of a contradiction to the faith show more would invalidate any argument. Nonetheless, faith with understanding is better than faith alone. He avoids the citation of authorities in his writings, using argument alone to establish his points (something for which his teacher Lanfranc chided him), and he insists on answering every possible objection to his views with clear reasons against it. He is but little interested in the task of reconciling authorities or finding a unity of doctrine in the thought of the various Church Fathers. However, Augustine is, in fact, his constant inspiration, providing him even with the dialogue form he uses in his works. Anselm's thought is rooted in dialectical and grammatical technique. He is particularly skilled at resolving difficulties by uncovering the true logical form of expressions with misleading grammatical forms. His writings are without exception a feast for the analytical mind, yet accessible even to a beginner. (Bowker Author Biography) show less