Basic Writings: Proslogium, Mologium, Gaunilo's in Behalf of the Fool, Cur Deus Homo

by Anselm of Canterbury, Sidney North Deane, Anselm

Book Overview

Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) was one of the originators of medievil scholastic philosophy. This collection of his best-known philosophical works contains, among other things, the Proslogium, in which Anselm first put forward the famous ontological argument for the existence of God. Also included are Gaunilo of Maurmoutier's criticism of Anselm's argument and Anselm's reply to Gaunilo.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0875481094
• ISBN13: 9780875481098
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: Open Court
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

A great mind at work!

St. Anselm's Basic Writings include: Anselm's Proslogium, Monologium, Cur Deus Homo, Gaunilo's In Behalf of the Fool, as well as Anselm's reply to Gaunilo. This volume also contains an overall introduction by Charles Hartshorne followed by thought provoking commentary from Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Leibnitz, Kant, and Hegel, among others, primarily in response to what has been know as Anselm's Ontological Argument since it was referred to as such by Immanuel Kant. Anselm's works alone make this compilation worth reading. However, as the author's proofs have inspired debate for close to one thousand years, it is extremely beneficial when contemplating these works to become familiar with how some of history's most renowned thinkers have responded to Anselm's ideas. What might make this particular volume stand out among others is the fact that the reader has access to Anselm's reply to one of the most time tested criticisms of his argument produced by Gaunilo, whereas so many of his other critics went unanswered. The Monologium, which Anselm originally titled An Example of Meditation on the Grounds of Faith, was written to expound, as the original title indicates, thoughts that Anselm arrived upon while meditating on the Being of God. In this work Anselm seeks to demonstrate that, even if one has denied or has no knowledge of a Supreme Nature, one could become familiar with certain truths regarding this Nature through reason alone. Anselm's goal in this work is that of not having to rely upon Biblical Scripture in and of itself as a means to understanding the Nature of the Supreme Being. He argues that there must be some one thing that is supremely good, through which every good thing has their goodness. Anselm builds this argument on a foundation of degrees. When one speaks of different things being good in varying degrees, it must be understood as being good through goodness while goodness itself is the same in each thing. It follows, then, that everything that is good to whatever degree is good through some one thing that is a great good, being goodness itself. Furthermore, anything that is good through something else is less-than that through which it is good; that which is goodness itself, and not good through some other thing, is supremely good. Anselm applies this principle to greatness, justness, dignity, and existence at great lengths to demonstrate the Nature of the Supreme Being. The Proslogium, originally titled Faith Seeking Understanding, is that work from which St. Anselm's Ontological Argument was drawn. Anselm's motivation for this book was that of finding one argument for the existence of God that would only require itself as proof, as opposed to the numerous arguments posited in the Monologium. One should be encouraged to read and understand Anselm's argument in the context of the entire Proslogium (and Monologium for that matter) as opposed to extracting the one brief chapter in which this Argument is found. Much is discl

"Great Defintion for the Existence of God"

St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, philosopher, father of scholastism, and doctor of the highly-esteemed Ontological Argument has in this work (Proslogium, Monologium, Cur Deus Homo, and Reply to Gaunilo)decribed and defended the nature of the most Trascendent Being in a profound yet simplistic manner.He begins his treatise stating that "God is greater than that of which can be conceived." While at the same time he emphasizes that we must not be intimidated by God's incomprehensiblity, but rather that we are reconciled to the Divine Knowledge by a means of simply believing in Him. Anselm quotes from (Psalms 14:1) which says that "the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God". So to Anselm the one who does not believe is the one who will never gain understanding, and to the believer, he says that, "they set straight the path to all wisdom and understanding." Thus, an incomprehensible Being, reveals what he wills to the ones who seek Him diligently. This is the scope of his work in rudiments, but Anselm expounds with clarity on each and every subject at hand that he works with. So as the reader you never feel that you are getting to little, or to much information. Also you will invariably receive new insights (which is the bread and butter of the Ontological Argument)no matter how well read and learned you are on the subject.The introduction to this book proves itself to be invaluable by summarizing the basic philosophy of Anselm. It also contains refutations and defenses to the Ontological Argument by some of the most reknowed philosophers of all time such as Kant, Hegel, Locke, Spinoza, and Descartes', to name a few. This way you can gain a better perspective of the way you will deal with the subject matter will reading. Despite reading a few of these counter-arguments I found that none of them could add to, or take away from the sheer purity of Anslem's argument.Deemed as the second Augustine , Anselm kept an extreme adherrence to the Holy Sriptures, the edicts promulgated by the Nicene Fathers, and an emphasis rooted deeply in the power of pure reason, which rightly has acredited him such an honorable title.So I would strongly suggest purchasing this book. It has been a rewarding and valuable asset to have on my shelf and I hope it makes its way to yours.