Reading Anselm's Proslogion: The History of Anselm's Argument and its Significance Today (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)

Anselm’s Proslogion has sparked controversy from the time it was written (c.1077) to the present day. Attempts to provide definitive accounts of its argument have led to a wide and contradictory variety of interpretations. In this book, Ian Logan goes back to basics, to the Latin text of the Proslogion with an original parallel English translation, before tracing the twists and turns of this controversy. Helping us to understand how the same argument came to be regarded as based on reason alone by some and on faith alone by others, as a logically sound demonstration by its supporters and as fatally flawed by its opponents, Logan considers what Anselm is setting out to do in the Proslogion, how his argument works, and whether it is successful. Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Acknowledgements -- List of Abbreviations -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Pre-text: The dialectical origins of Anselm's argument -- 3 The Text -- Proslogion -- Pro Insipiente -- Responsio -- 4 Commentary on the Proslogion -- 5 Anselm's Defence and the Unum Argumentum -- 6 The Medieval Reception -- 7 The Modern Reception -- 8 Anselm's Argument Today -- Conclusion: The Significance of Anselm's Argument -- Bibliography -- Index Introduction -- The Pre-text : The Dialectical Origins Of Anselm's Argument -- The Text -- Proslogion -- Pro Insipiente -- Responsio -- Commentary On The Proslogion -- Anselm's Defence And The Unum Argumentum -- The Medieval Reception -- The Modern Reception -- Anselm's Argument Today -- Conclusion : The Significance Of Anselm's Argument. Ian Logan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [203]-213) And Index. Includes The Latin Text With New Parallel English Translation.