The Philosophy of Peter Abelard

This 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.

• Offers a major reassessment of the twelfth-century philosopher Peter Abelard (famous in the context of ‘Abelard and Heloise’) • Includes detailed studies of Abelard’s life, with new datings, and all his writings • Analyses previously unexamined areas of his thought

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.

‘… most satisfying to read, combining a clear sense of purpose with an exemplary clarity of thought. It is difficult to overestimate its importance for the study of Abelard and of twelfth-century intellectual culture in general.’ – Early Medieval Europe

‘… not only an outstanding exposition of Abelard’s philosophy, but a work that opens up for specialists and non-specialists the world of twelfth-century thought.’ – The Times Literary Supplement