Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works (Oxford World's Classics)

Although utterly convinced of the truth of Christianity, Anselm of Canterbury struggled to make sense of his religion. He considered the doctrines of faith an invitation to question, to think, and to learn; and he devoted his life to confronting and understanding the most elusive aspects of Christianity. His writings on matters such as free will, the nature of truth, and the existence of God make Anselm one of the greatest theologians and philosophers in history, and this translation provides readers with their first opportunity to read his most important works within a single volume. `For I do not seek to understand so that I may believe; but I believe so that I may understand. For I believe this also, that unless I believe, I shall not understand.'Does God exist? Can we know anything about God's nature? Have we any reason to think that the Christian religion is true? What is truth, anyway? Do human beings have freedom of choice? Can they have such freedom in a world created by God? These questions, and others, were ones which Anselm of Canterbury (c.1033-1109) took very seriously. He was utterly convinced of the truth of the Christian religion, but he was also determined to try to make sense of his Christian faith. Recognizing that the Christian God is incomprehensible, he also believed that Christianity is not simply something to be swallowed with mouth open and eyes shut. For Anselm, the doctrines of Christianity are an invitation to question, to think, and to learn. Anselm is studied today because his rigour of thought and clarity of writing place him among the greatest of theologians and philosophers. This translation provides readers with their first opportunity to read all of his most important works within the covers of a single volume. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. Contents......Page 6 Introduction......Page 8 Note on the Text and Translators......Page 25 Select Bibliography......Page 27 A Chronology of Anselm’s Life......Page 29 THE MAJOR WORKS......Page 30 Letter to Archbishop Lanfranc......Page 32 Monologion......Page 34 Proslogion......Page 111 Pro Insipiente: (On behalf of the Fool), by Gaunilo of Marmoutiers......Page 134 Reply to Gaunilo......Page 140 De Grammatico: (Dialogue on Literacy and the Literate)......Page 152 On Truth......Page 180 On Free Will......Page 204 On the Fall of the Devil......Page 222 On the Incarnation of the Word......Page 262 Why God Became Man......Page 289 On the Virgin Conception and Original Sin......Page 386 On the Procession of the Holy Spirit......Page 419 De Concordia: (The Compatibility of God’s Foreknowledge, Predestination, and Grace with Human Freedom)......Page 464 Philosophical Fragments......Page 504 B......Page 532 D......Page 533 F......Page 534 H......Page 535 J......Page 536 N......Page 537 P......Page 538 S......Page 539 T......Page 540 W......Page 541 Translation that collects all of Anselm's most important works in one volume. One of the most significant medieval thinkers, Anselm's determination to try and make sense of his Christian faith resulted in a rigorous engagement with the problems of logic which remain relevant for philosophers and theologians today.