Proslogion, with the Replies of Gaunilo and Anselm [Paperback]

Anselm (Author), Thomas Williams (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0872205657 | ISBN-13: 978-0872205659 | Publication Date: March 2001

Thomas Williams' edition offers an Introduction well suited for use in an introductory philosophy course, as well as his own preeminent translation of the text.

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Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

About the Author

Anselm; Translated by Thomas Williams

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Publishing Co. (March 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872205657
• ISBN-13: 978-0872205659
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That than which nothing greater can be thought..., October 23, 2008

By 

Kerry Walters (Lewisburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Proslogion, with the Replies of Gaunilo and Anselm (Paperback)

There are few "proofs" for the existence of God that have been discussed more frequently by philosophers and theologians than Anselm's ontological argument. In it, Anselm argues that once one understands what the word
"God" means--namely, as that than which nothing greater can be conceived--one must also grant God's necessary existence. This argument still tickles the fancy of philosophers in our own day. Alvin Plantinga re-formulated it in terms of modal logic, as did Charles Hartshorne before him.

Anselm's Proslogion, ably translated by Thomas Williams, is the short treatise in which the argument appears in a very short chapter (Chapter 2). The book also includes a response to Anselm by the monk Gaunilo, and Anselm's very compact and sometimes confused reply. This isn't Anselm's first stab at a demonstration of God's existence. His earlier Monologion is mainly devoted to an examination of the doctrine of the Trinity. But the first sections of the book offer a couple of other arguments.

This edition of the Proslogion, like all the books published by Hackett, is inexpensive and sturdy.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ontological Argument for God, January 13, 2009

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Mithridates VI of Pontus (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Proslogion, with the Replies of Gaunilo and Anselm (Paperback)

Saint Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) was a medieval philosopher, theologian, prior of Bec, and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. This volume includes the Proslogion, Gaunilo's reply to the ontological argument, and Anselm's reply to Gaunilo's reply. Anselm is known by the motto "faith seeking understanding." The Proslogion contains Anselm's famous ontological argument.

The ontological argument is as follows. Premise I: God is by definition that than which no greater can exist meaning that God is the most perfect object, the most perfect being that can be thought about. Secondly, it is understood that it is greater to exist in reality and the mind than to exist only in the mind. If you tell the fool who does not believe in God to think about the concept of that than which no greater can exist, that concept exists in his mind. Even the fool cannot doubt that the concept exists in his mind since he had heard it and understood it and "whatever is understood is in the mind" (pg 150). Premise II: Anselm states that that which exists in both the mind and in reality is greater than that which exists only in thought. God by definition is that than which no greater can exist and if it does not exist in reality it contradicts itself. Conclusion: God exists. The rest of the Proslogion applies this "proof" to other attributes of God.

Gaunilo's primary objection to Anselm's ontological argument takes the form of an island. Premise I: Imagine the perfect island, the island that no greater than be thought. Premise II: The Island of that than which no greater can be thought plus existence is greater than the island in the mind. Conclusion: Thus, the perfect island of that which no greater can be thought exists in reality. But we know that that island surely cannot exist in reality. Then Gaunilo shows that one can prove every highest form of any kind using his argument. Thus, man can think of the perfectly evil being in the mind and prove its existence.

Anselm replies that Gaunilo application of the island is a type of form, and the perfectly evil is a type of being. While in his ontological argument he was arguing for the greatest extent of being possible, not just a form of perfection, but ultimate perfection itself. In response to the argument that the mind cannot hold truth from "the verbal formula" (pg 150) Anselm states then the mind is not actually thinking of that than which no greater cannot be thought. And if the concept of than which no greater cannot be thought can be thought to exist then it must exist "of necessity" (pg 156).

Sadly, the Introduction to this work is almost to brief to be of much use besides explaining basic tenants of Anselm's Proslogion. Gaunilo's reply is practically ignored and the ramifications of Anselm's ontological argument are not even touched on. Anselm's proof has long reaching Philosophical implications and influence. That said this volume does lay out for the diligent reader the necessary primary sources. A must buy for the those interested in Medieval History and Medieval Philosophy (and hopefully other philosophy buffs)!