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The Unity of the Proslogion
Reason and Desire in the Monastic Theology of Anselm of Canterbury
Series: - Anselm Studies and Texts, Volume: 4
Author:
Interpretations of Anselms Proslogion range between the extremes of rationalism and fideism because of the challenge of unifying its philosophical and devotional aspects. In this book, Bayer argues that a monastic interpretation or an interpretation that takes seriously the intellectual significance of our existential commitments offers a powerful compromise.
Through an extensive study of Anselms spiritualty, especially as it is manifested in his letters and homiletic works, coupled with a profound study of Anselms philosophy of language in the De grammatico and Monologion, Bayer aims to reveal the Anselmian unity of life and thought, and thereby also the harmony between faith and reason. In this way, he defends the Proslogion as a unified and probative argument.
Through an extensive study of Anselms spiritualty, especially as it is manifested in his letters and homiletic works, coupled with a profound study of Anselms philosophy of language in the De grammatico and Monologion, Bayer aims to reveal the Anselmian unity of life and thought, and thereby also the harmony between faith and reason. In this way, he defends the Proslogion as a unified and probative argument.
Fr. John Bayer. O. Cist, Ph.D. (2019), Pontifical Gregorian University, teaches at Cistercian Preparatory School and the University of Dallas. In 2007, he entered Our Lady of Dallas Cistercian Abbey. His research interests include fundamental theology, the relationship between faith and science, and monasticism.
"By seeing Anselms theology as wholly of a piece with his monastic way of life, this book makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of Anselms thought, and establishes in a new way the perennial significance of St. Anselm for the Christian intellectual tradition".
Bruce D. Marshall, Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine, Southern Methodist University
Another book on Anselms famous argument? Yes, but Fr John Bayer offers something new: a holistic interpretation of the Proslogion which overcomes the temptation of approaching the argument either as a piece of strict logic or as a meditative prayer. It is both, for reason properly conceived forms part of the existential commitments of a seeking and desiring person. Bayers interpretation is holistic in a second sense too: it places the unum argumentum within the whole of the Proslogion, and the Proslogion within Anselms larger opus. A fine piece of thinking and scholarship".
Philipp W. Rosemann, The National University of Ireland (Maynooth)
Bruce D. Marshall, Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine, Southern Methodist University
Another book on Anselms famous argument? Yes, but Fr John Bayer offers something new: a holistic interpretation of the Proslogion which overcomes the temptation of approaching the argument either as a piece of strict logic or as a meditative prayer. It is both, for reason properly conceived forms part of the existential commitments of a seeking and desiring person. Bayers interpretation is holistic in a second sense too: it places the unum argumentum within the whole of the Proslogion, and the Proslogion within Anselms larger opus. A fine piece of thinking and scholarship".
Philipp W. Rosemann, The National University of Ireland (Maynooth)
Abbreviations
Introduction
1 The Father of Scholasticism? Reading Anselm as a Monk
â1âAnselm between Scholasticism and Monasticism
â2âReading Anselm as a Monk
2 Quaerere Deum: Anselm on Monastic Life and Thought
â1âThe Relevance of Spirituality
â2âAnselmian Spirituality
â3âAnselmian Reason
â4âConclusion: Reason and the Search for God
3 Quaerere Veritatem: Logic, Language and Experience
â1âIntroduction: Quaerere Veritatem
â2âLogic, Language and Experience in the De grammatico
â3âLogic, Language and Experience in the Monologion
â4âConclusion: Subjective Reason and the Search for Truth
4 The Mind at Prayer
â1âThe Language of the Heart
â2âThe Horizon of Reason: Chapters 1, 14-18 and 24-26
â3âProving God in the Proslogion
â4âConclusion: Contemplating God in the Proslogion
Appendix: Ratio in the Monologion
â1âRatio as Argument or Reasoning (31)
â2âRatio as Intelligibility or Meaning (10)
â3âRatio as Formal Logic or Objective Reason or Analysis (29)
â4âRatio as Subjective Reason or Intellect (the Integral Faculty Responsible for the Apprehension of Form) (53)
â5âRatio as Divine Mind or Cosmic Order (the Divine Rationality Grounding the Intelligibility of Existence) (9)
Bibliography
Index of Authors
Introduction
1 The Father of Scholasticism? Reading Anselm as a Monk
â1âAnselm between Scholasticism and Monasticism
â2âReading Anselm as a Monk
2 Quaerere Deum: Anselm on Monastic Life and Thought
â1âThe Relevance of Spirituality
â2âAnselmian Spirituality
â3âAnselmian Reason
â4âConclusion: Reason and the Search for God
3 Quaerere Veritatem: Logic, Language and Experience
â1âIntroduction: Quaerere Veritatem
â2âLogic, Language and Experience in the De grammatico
â3âLogic, Language and Experience in the Monologion
â4âConclusion: Subjective Reason and the Search for Truth
4 The Mind at Prayer
â1âThe Language of the Heart
â2âThe Horizon of Reason: Chapters 1, 14-18 and 24-26
â3âProving God in the Proslogion
â4âConclusion: Contemplating God in the Proslogion
Appendix: Ratio in the Monologion
â1âRatio as Argument or Reasoning (31)
â2âRatio as Intelligibility or Meaning (10)
â3âRatio as Formal Logic or Objective Reason or Analysis (29)
â4âRatio as Subjective Reason or Intellect (the Integral Faculty Responsible for the Apprehension of Form) (53)
â5âRatio as Divine Mind or Cosmic Order (the Divine Rationality Grounding the Intelligibility of Existence) (9)
Bibliography
Index of Authors
This work will interest scholars of Anselm, monasticism, proofs for the existence of God, fundamental theology and anyone concerned with the integration of spirituality and philosophy.