Monologio e Proslogio

by Anselm of Canterbury, Italo Sciuto (Editor)

Testo latino a fronte. Testo integrale

Se nel Monologio Anselmo affronta per la prima volta in modo sistematico il problema di quale posto dare alla ragione umana nel contesto culturale cristiano, ragione che ritiene di possedere già interamente la Verità, e di quali siano i limiti, le possibilità e le certezze a cui può giungere, rispondendosi che il seguire la pura evidenza razionale non costituisce pericolo per la verità rivelata e, anzi, la conferma in modo più perfetto, nel Proslogio, invece, Anselmo vuole tentare di far comprendere le stesse verità a partire da una argomento di valore assoluto che dimostri l'esistenza di Dio e giunga alla "contemplazione" della realtà divina con l'ausilio dell'intellectus.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Medieval, College

525 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1076

About the author

Italian-born English monk, abbot, theologian, Archbishop of Canterbury and Doctor of the Church. Helped inaugurate scholasticism in the medieval period, being credited as the "father of scholasticism", and became known for what became known as the "ontological argument" for the existence of God.

He entered the Benedictine order at the abbey of Bec at the age of 27 years in 1060 and served as abbot in 1079.

Anselm of Canterbury, also known as Anselm of Aosta or Anselm of Bec, was a monk and abbot at the Benedictine abbey of Bec. He served as Archbishop of Canterbury under William II from 1093 to his death on 1109.

As a result of the investiture controversy, the most significant conflict between Church and state in Medieval Europe, Henry I again from 1105 exiled him to 1107.

A bull of Clement XI, pope, proclaimed Anselm a doctor of the Church in 1720 . We celebrate his feast day annually on 21 April.

Reviews

[J. Wootton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the two works, Proslogion gets the most attention as the conveyor of Anselm's famous ontological argument, which asserts that since we can conceive of an infinitely great being, such a being must necessarily exist - because to exist in reality as well as conception is greater than to exist in conception only, and the being we speak of is infinitely great. This proof has gotten a lot of attention from philosophers over the centuries; it has not been successfully refuted, but it reveals more about the limits of the human mind than it does about the deity, by my reckoning.

But the Monologion is the real gem. Systematic and cautious, a beautiful work that derives Trinitarian & other essential Christian doctrines from natural theology - from reason, rather than revelation. Which is not to say revelation is not involved. Rather, Anselm's purpose is to explain with logic how, if the biblical assertions about God are true, we can understand them to be true on a logical basis rather than a dogmatic one. Really stunning thoughtcraft, well-made. Profitable reading.

[Erik Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the 'Monologion', 'Proslogion' and Anselm's debates about them more than once, always in connection to a college class, as well as some of the modern debates about the ontological argument. For an eleventh century cleric to have remained so problematic for so long is quite remarkable.

The most interesting treatment given the texts, particularly of the 'Proslogion', was that offered by Dr. Paul Schaick in his fall Philosophy of Religion class. A PhD in physics who had gone on for a second doctorate in philosophy after reading Heidegger, Paul was an interesting man.

His class barely touched on the philosophy of religion at all. We read Rudolf Otto's 'Idea of the Holy' very quickly, discussing it in a day, then moved immediately to spend the rest of the semester reading Anselm and his critics. Class "discussions" were almost entirely devoted to watching Paul at the whiteboard, feverishly writing proofs in modal logics. It eventually dawned on him that we didn't know modal logics, so he deigned to give us a crash course in that, then proceeded with his work. This, I presume, is how they taught physics where he came from.

In any case, I found it amusing and the two of us became friends until graduation in the spring.

Oh, just in case you are interested, the argument does work under the operations allowed under S5 modal logic, but not in the others.--If that doesn't solve your crisis of faith, what will?

[Matt Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had already read the Proslogion along with Guanilo’s reply and Anselm’s response, but I finally made it through the Monologion.

Note: read all these in the Oxford World’s Classic edition of Anselm’s Major Works

[Zachary Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to the presence of Anselm's famed ontological argument, Proslogion gets more attention, but the most invigorating thought from my perspective is contained in Monologian. It is a clear, well-argued development of theological reflection that is both captivating and effective in its logical organization. Moreover, Anselm's devotional style makes for reading that edifies even while it instructs and stretches.

Confessedly, I have always struggled to find the appeal of Anselm's ontological argument. I find the logic slippery and proofs unsatisfactory. Moreover, it feels that in terms of arguments for God's existence, it is more clever than persuasive. In my view, it tends to come across more as a neat logical parlor-trick than something that is likely to be believed. Moreover, I found Anselm's follow-up replies to be somewhat challenging to follow--admittedly likely my own difficulty in tracing statements that contain so many double negatives.

That said, overall, a really enjoyable read. Note--I read these passages in the Oxford Classics translation.

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anselm relies on reason not revelation; but he confuses idea and object. Monologion covers God, Creation, Trinity, Soul. Proslogion includes the Ontological Argument.

[Mariangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a long time I wanted to read St. Anselm, and now I have read the Monologion and the Proslogion, as well as the objections and Anselm’s reply to them.

The Monologion is the process of trying to understand God’s existence by reason. The ontological argument appears here already, even though it is usually attributed to the Proslogion. The reason for this is that the Proslogion is mainly devoted to it. But, in addition to the ontological argument, the reasoning in the Monologion goes on to derive from the fact that God exist that He must be a Trinity. I enjoyed the whole argumentation, which takes most of the book. But I still wonder if it could be reached by reason by someone who did not know it beforehand by revelation.

The beginning of the Proslogion is beautifully written as a search for God by a soul, linking together many verses from the Psalms and other books of scripture. Then it goes on to explain the ontological argument. It is a much shorter book than the Monologion.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a hoot.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Anselm! I thought his take on describing the devils fall was interesting, but it definitely left me with a lot to think about—specifically whether or not we can truly have free will and how God could allow the angels to fall if he’s an all good all perfect being—but, I do believe that the creation of free will in the first place is exactly why the angels did fall.

All cool stuff!! As far as philosophical texts go this one was fairly easy to digest. Really an interesting (yet seemingly shared) perspective on who God is and the role he plays in life today, then, and the future (all at once of course).

[Rick Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a deep, philosophical book. Anselm tries to pose an argument bridging the material and spiritual worlds. I took a long time to read and re-read lines, but have difficulty summing up his main thesis. That is not to say, that I didn't get something out of it. I paraphrased and added to this statement of what he said in one of my writings (obviously footnoted): With God there is no past or future, therefore, He is always present and "I am." I added the "I am" but I thought the overall concept is real cool.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Anselm's ontological argument to be entertaining. Though anything can be entertaining when based on an undefinable statement.

Majorly, I enjoyed Anselm's sassy response to Gaunilo's reply where Anselm calls him stupid and dense many times then concludes his response with, "I am grateful for your kindness..." (139).

My central criticism lies in Anselm's failure to prove this reductio ad absurdum argument can only be applied to God (or, "in which no greater can be thought") as He stands as a necessary being (because his reasoning for necessity is based on his assumed premises).

[lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

had to read a lot of theological philosophers and anselm is by far one of the easiest to get in to. obviously his arguments are dated but his ontological argument was not only innovative within theological philosophy but an interesting way to conceptualize god. if your going to start w the basics this is a great work to read to begin. even tho i don’t agree with a lot of his arguments i appreciated the way in which he writes and attempts to explain the complexities of god

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short little book and a necessary step in the advancement of the philosophy of God in the west. I especially love St. Anselm's very devout character with which he composes his philosophy, integrating his quest to understand God with his quest to love God. Would that more philosophers could have done that.

[Mike Kieser · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating of two is not because of the translation but the underlying work itself. The Monologion is a knock off of Augustine's Confessions or On Christian Doctrine. The Proslogion is just a repetition of the same idea for chapters on end.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was much more interesting and engaging than I would have guessed, assuming you are interested in philosophy and Christianity. It is not fully convincing but it would warrant a closer, slow reading.

[Bobby Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast read! Great for a plane ride. Though it is short, the knowledge given to us by Anselm is invaluable. Would definitely recommend who want to learn about the Ontological argument, and why God is so great!

[Karoline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a scholastic, an academic, a theologian, or a philosopher but I was lucky enough to read this with a knowledgeable guide and it was a bit like putting on a pair of glasses for the first time & discovering the little pond at your feet is actually an ocean.

[Tim Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anselm is hugely influential when it comes to the doctrine of God, the Trinity, and the ontological argument for the existence of God. I had trouble understanding some parts, but the devotional theology of the proslogian (which is written mostly as an extended prayer) in particular is magnificent:

[adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Monologion was a snoozefest, but the Proslogion was really beautiful! So I'm going for the middle of the road on this one. Apologies, Anselm!

[Caleb Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ontological argument for the existence of God is brilliant. I love Anselm as a philosopher, and he should definitely be included in with the greats.

[Scott Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice edition—clean, clear, and simple.

[Benjamin Huddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proslogion alone deserves 5 stars.

[Blas T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool, cool, but a little bit redundant

[rem parungao · Rating 5 out of 5]

it talks about the a priori which is how people describe who God is
and a posteriori how people experience God. Ontological argument.

[William Albers · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading through Anselm's major works, the number of lines that could be drawn from my own theological tradition back through Anselm's reasoning struck me several times (particularly when he discusses the Triunity of God and topics touching upon redemption). I look forward to delving further back into the church fathers to develop a more full picture of the development of these things (Anselm wrote in the 11th century).

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read only Proslogion.

The Proslogion is most famous for Anselm's argument that since God can be conceived of he must exist. By definition, God is the supreme being. Nothing greater than God can exist. Since existence is greater than non-existence, God must exist.

While the Proslogion is famous for this argument, most of the short book focuses on contemplating God. Anselm considers what it means to be supremely good, supremely just, and supremely merciful. He considers God's unity, and his eternal unbounded nature. Anselm comes to the conclusion that we are limited in our ability to conceive God but what we can conceive of him should make us desire him more than any thing else. I found this book to be an insightful devotional on the nature of God.

[Judson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The arguments that Anselm employs are a little wordy and seem to use circular reasoning sometimes, but overall a good read. I found his reflections on the Trinity to be particularly insightful and thought-provoking.

[Joshua Nomen-Mutatio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nonsense. Utter nonsense. See: infinite regress AKA "turtles all the way down" for a quick and sound refutation of all the boring, failed arguments presented here and in the extremely overrated writings of Aquinas as well.

[Brian Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ontological argument is very, very clever.

[Jonathan]

None

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mind bender.