Anselm of Canterbury

Definition

Anselm of Canterbury was a Benedictine monk, philosopher, and theologian who lived during the late 11th and early 12th centuries. He is often regarded as one of the founding figures of scholasticism, known for his influential works that aimed to reconcile faith and reason. Anselm's famous ontological argument for the existence of God marked a significant development in medieval philosophy, shaping the discourse around the relationship between faith and rationality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Anselm served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 until his death in 1109, significantly impacting the church and theological discourse of his time.
2. His most notable works include 'Proslogion' and 'Monologion,' where he articulated his philosophical arguments about God and existence.
3. Anselm is known for coining the phrase 'faith seeking understanding,' emphasizing that faith is the starting point for seeking deeper truths.
4. His ideas influenced later thinkers, including Thomas Aquinas, who further developed the relationship between faith and reason in his own philosophical framework.
5. Anselm's approach set a precedent for future scholastic thinkers by integrating rigorous logic with theological inquiry.

Review Questions

• How did Anselm of Canterbury's ontological argument contribute to the development of medieval philosophy?
  • Anselm's ontological argument introduced a logical framework for understanding God's existence, asserting that if one can conceive of a perfect being, then that being must exist in reality. This argument marked a significant shift in medieval philosophy by emphasizing reason as a tool to explore theological concepts. It encouraged scholars to engage in dialectical reasoning, which became a hallmark of scholastic thought, shaping how subsequent philosophers approached questions of faith and existence.
• Discuss the relationship between faith and reason as presented by Anselm of Canterbury in his works.
  • Anselm emphasized that faith is foundational to understanding spiritual truths, encapsulated in his phrase 'faith seeking understanding.' He believed that while faith initiates one's quest for knowledge, reason plays a critical role in articulating and defending those beliefs. This interplay between faith and reason was revolutionary for the time, paving the way for scholasticism, where rigorous logical analysis became essential to theological inquiry and the establishment of Christian doctrine.
• Evaluate Anselm of Canterbury's influence on later philosophical and theological thought during the Middle Ages.
  • Anselm's impact on medieval thought is profound, as his integration of philosophical reasoning with Christian theology laid the groundwork for future scholars like Thomas Aquinas. By insisting on the importance of rationality in matters of faith, Anselm not only influenced theological discourse but also shaped the intellectual landscape of Europe during the Middle Ages. His ideas encouraged an environment where critical thinking flourished, ultimately leading to the development of scholasticism as a dominant educational approach in medieval universities.

Related terms

Ontological Argument: A philosophical argument that posits the existence of God as a necessary being, suggesting that if we can conceive of a perfect being, then that being must exist in reality.

Scholasticism: A method of critical thought which dominated teaching by the academics ('schoolmen') of medieval universities in Europe, emphasizing dialectical reasoning to extend knowledge.

Faith and Reason: The relationship between religious belief and logical thought; a central theme in Anselm's work, where he argued that faith precedes understanding but that reason is essential to explain and explore faith.