Three Philosophical Dialogues: On Truth/On Freedom of Choice/On the Fall of the Devil

by Anselm of Canterbury

In these three dialogues, renowned for their dialectical structure and linguistic precision, Anselm sets out his classic account of the relationship between freedom and sin--its linchpin his definition of freedom of choice as the power to preserve rectitude of will for its own sake. In doing so, Anselm explores the fascinating implications for God, human beings, and angels (good and bad) of his conclusion that freedom of choice neither is nor entails the power to sin. In addition to an Introduction, notes, and a glossary, Thomas Williams brings to the translation of these important dialogues the same precision and clarity that distinguish his previous translation of Anselm's Proslogion and Monologion , which Professor Paul Spade of Indiana University called "scrupulously faithful and accurate without being slavishly literal, yet lively and graceful to both the eye and ear.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Theology, Religion, Logic, Medieval, Metaphysics

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1086

About the author

Anselm of Aosta was an Italian-born English theologian, monk, and abbot at the Benedictine abbey of Bec served as Archbishop of Canterbury under William II from 1093 to his death on 1109. He is held to be a Saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by a bull of Pope Clement XI in 1720.

Anselm helped to inaugurate the Scholastic movement in the medieval period, sometimes credited as the "father of scholasticism," and was known for what is today referred to as the "ontological argument" for the existence of God.

Reviews

[hud · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Do you not yourself think that what a man does and what a stone does differ in some way?” 😭

Very good book, hard to read at some points but I recommend

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anselm relates truth to rectitude, free will to the pursuit of rectitude for its own sake, and sin to weak wills neglecting rectitude.

[MagellanIsCoolerThanJustinBieber · Rating 5 out of 5]

These dialogues form perhaps my favorite of Saint Anselm's works. He establishes an appropriate epistemology in the first dialogue. Then, much to the Council of Trent's chagrin, Anselm delves into mankind's total depravity and "powerlessness not to sin." His final dialogue closes with a triumphant theodicy where he affirms that "God causes the singular actions that come from the bad will" yet Anselm "neither accuses God nor excuses the devil." Saint Augustine would be proud.

[Bennett Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow but deeply satisfying read from the father of scholasticism. The only problem with this book is its title - Three Philosophical Dialogues. The three works that make up this volume are definitely NOT philosophical discussions. In the opening sentence of the preface, St. Anselm describes them them as "three treatises pertaining to the study of Holy Scripture." The subject matter of these treatises certainly touch on philosophical themes - e.g. the nature of truth and the freedom of the will - but they are, above all, scriptural and theological meditations.

In the first work, De veritate (On Truth) Anselm defines truth as "right (lat. rectitudo) signification - i.e. what is," or "truth as rectitude perceptible by the mind." In the second work, De libertate arbitrii (On Freedom of Choice) Anselm offers the following definition of the freedom of choice: "free choice is nothing other than a choice that is able to preserve the rectitude (lat. rectitudo) of will for the sake of rectitude itself." And in the third and final treatise, De casu diaboli (On the Fall of the Devil), Anselm offers an explanation of Satan's tragic fall that "excuses God and accuses the devil."

The devil, like all angels, was created upright (lat. recititudo). He was given (by God) an upright will, that is, a will that willed what it ought, and he was turned by his Creator to Himself. In other words, there was no defect in his nature whatsoever, and his will and power to choose were no different than that of the angels who persevered in their rectitude. But spontaneously (and tragically), the devil willingly abandoned justice by willing what he ought not to will - to be even greater than God. Why did he do it? Anselm wisely explains: "Simply because he willed it. For there was no other cause by which his will was in any way incited or attracted. Instead, his will was its own efficient cause." Without question, his discussion of the Fall of Satan is the best that I have ever read.

These treatises are not light reading, and Anselm asks demands a lot from his readers. But those who are willing to follow his arguments carefully and closely will be richly rewarded.

[julia! · Rating 4 out of 5]

“fear is passive reality”

uhh… thanks for that. now i have to take a quiz.

[Randy Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Platonism deeply evident, interesting take on theodicies.

[Landon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good. Some parts were especially deep, and I definitely didn’t track with all the arguments. But no doubt I’ll be rereading these during my PhD studies. Certain portions—especially in “On The Fall of The Devil”—felt very speculative, so I’m uncertain whether or not I even agree with some of his conclusions. Nevertheless, I found these works arresting. I’m endlessly intrigued by the kind of brilliance displayed in Anselm’s rational and rigorously logic-driven exploration of key questions of the faith.

[Andrew Silagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great primer on Christians who are struggling with questions of free will and the fall. A bit intellectually challenging but good for those who have dug into philosophy even just a little.