Customer Reviews

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

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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.