Peter Abelard's Ethics : An Edition with Introduction, English Translation and Notes By D. E. Luscombe [Hardcover]

Peter Abelard (Author), David Edward Luscombe (Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198222173 | ISBN-13: 978-0198222170 | Publication Date: December 15, 1971 | Edition: First

An edition with introduction, English translation, and notes by D. E. Luscombe.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin

Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: Clarendon Press; First edition (December 15, 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198222173
• ISBN-13: 978-0198222170
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,877,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, delivers what is promised., January 25, 2006

By 

Abelard fan (Venice, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter Abelard's Ethics : An Edition with Introduction, English Translation and Notes By D. E. Luscombe (Hardcover)

This book explains Abelard's theories on ethics, mainly on sin, in his own words. It answered such questions as when does sin occur, when you ponder the sin, or choose to act on it. It also tackles questions on original sin, and the idea of the unbaptized child who dies and is refused entrance to heaven. According to Abelard, if you are ignorant of Christian law, then you cannot be considered guilty of breaking it. However, there is a universal law, which cultures who did not have access to Christianity, upheld. This universal law, if transgressed, would lead to damnation.

Abelard was clearly a great teacher, if he writes in a way that an unschooled person such as myself could understand (unschooled in philosophy and ethics). It was interesting to see the progression of thought in the middle ages. It also gives insight into Abelards beliefs and personality. He seems to have been logical and kind. If he had "pushed the envelope" just a little more he would have been truly heroic. As it is though, he suffered enough just daring to ask questions.

This is a good book to read if anyone is interested in the middle ages, in Abelard, and what all the heresy charges were about.