The Philosophy of Peter Abelard [Paperback]

John Marenbon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521663997 | ISBN-13: 978-0521663991 | Publication Date: September 28, 1999

This book offers a major reassessment of the philosophy of Peter Abelard (1079-1142), which shows that he was a far more constructive and wider-ranging thinker than has usually been supposed. It combines detailed historical discussion, based on published and manuscript sources, with philosophical analysis that aims to make clear Abelard's central arguments about the nature of things, language and the mind, and about morality. Although the book concentrates on these philosophical questions, it places them within their theological and wider intellectual context.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book is a literate, organized, readable presentation, which incorporates the latest research on every topic, whether historical, literary, theological, or philosophical." Dialogue

"...skillful and insightful...." Martin M. Tweedale, Philosophy in Review

"The author's writing is lucid and succinct, and his presentation flows extraordinarily well from chapter to chapter; his references to contemporary scholarship are quite helpful and complete,.... It is not likely, however, that Marenbon's work will soon be superseded as a survey of Abelard's philosophy, and his reevaluation of Abelard's work will surely provoke furthur discussion for some time to come." W. Becket Soule, O.P.; The Thomist

"John Marenbon is to be highly commended for providing scholars with the most definitive work to date." David Meconi, Review of Metaphysics

"Marenbon's fresh portrait of Abelard should have an influence on all future readings of the collected correspondence." -- Speculum, a Journal of Medieval Studies

Book Description

This book offers a major reassessment of the philosophy of Peter Abelard (1079-1142) which shows that he was a far more constructive and wider-ranging thinker than has usually been supposed. It combines detailed historical discussion, based on published and manuscript sources, with philosophical analysis which aims to make clear Abelard's central arguments about the nature of things, language and the mind, and about morality. Although the book concentrates on these philosophical questions, it places them within their theological and wider intellectual context.

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521663997
• ISBN-13: 978-0521663991
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,004,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read., January 8, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: The Philosophy of Peter Abelard (Paperback)

This book shed new light, enlarged on existing ideas, regarding Abelard as a person and as a philosopher, logician, or whatever shelf you put him on. I especially enjoyed the sections dealing with his theological writings, as I'm not much of a philosophy fan, although that section was well written. Also interesting was the referencing to other writers' opinions of Abelard and his body of work, whether pro or con, through the ages.