Anselm - A History of Western Philosophy

Eriugena's Philosophy

• Connection between Body and Nature

  • Eriugena believes the incarnation connects the body and nature spiritually.

  • Christ's incarnation redeems the natural world and all will return to God.

• Influence on Medieval Mysticism

  • While Eriugena faced suspicions of unorthodoxy, his writings influenced later mystical writers:

    • Meister Eckhart (1260-1327)

    • Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464)

  • Impact on 19th-century Philosophy

    • G. W. F. Hegel regarded Eriugena as a precursor to monistic idealism.

    • His dialectical assertions, especially regarding God, were notable.

    • Eriugena's view: True understanding may involve paradoxical statements that gain coherence in context.

      • Example: God can be thought of as "nothing" (transcending existence) and as the ultimate reality.

Anselm of Canterbury

• Background

  • Birth: 1033, Northern Italy

  • Education: Benedictine abbey in Normandy, France.

  • Became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093, facing conflicts with Norman Kings.

• Philosophical Perspective

  • Anselm's approach mirrors Augustine's, grounded in faith.

  • Motto: "Faith seeking understanding" - faith enriches understanding rather than being replaced by it.

• Arguments for God's Existence

  • Anselm claims many beliefs about God can be rationally inferred.

  • Monologion: presents a complex argument for God's existence.

  • Proslogion: simpler yet profound, laying the foundation for the onto-logical argument.

    • Argument: If God is the greatest conceivable being, He must exist in reality.

      • Even denial implies a comprehension of God’s concept, necessitating His existence.

  • Criticism

    • Gaunilo's parody: an island greater than which none can be conceived.

    • Critique: Anselm’s argument treats existence as a property.

    • Responses involve clarifying necessary existence vs. mere existence.

  • Philosophical Influence

    • Anselm's argument prompted significant discussion, criticisms by philosophers like Kant and empiricists.

    • Contemporary support from philosophers such as Alvin Plantinga.

• Attributes of God

  • Discussions lead to assertions of God's omniscience and omnipotence.

  • Anselm describes God as impassible, changeless, timeless, and simple.

• Account of Atonement

  • In "Cur Deus Homo," Anselm tackles the nature of Christ's atonement.

  • Contrast to Ransom Theory

    • Ransom theory: complex; to whom is the ransom paid? IF to God, how is it just?

    • Anselm’s view: Atonement as satisfaction due to humans' failure to honor God, creating an infinite debt.

    • Resolution: Through the incarnation, God (in Christ) can satisfy our debt.

• Concept of Freedom

  • Defined as the ability to act rightly for its own sake, grounded in a teleological perspective on action.

  • Right action: What fulfills a purpose; sin viewed as prioritizing personal happiness over divine justice.

The Controversy of Universals

• Medieval Debate

  • Philosophers grappled with the existence of universals, shaped by Platonic and Aristotelian views.

  • Realism

    • Some medieval thinkers (Realists) contended universals are real entities.

  • Nominalism

    • Early nominalism denies the independent existence of universals, arguing they are merely terms for groups.

    • Notable proponents: Roscellinus and later William of Ockham.

• Roscellinus's Views

  • His ideas on universals caused controversy, raising questions about the Trinity's nature.

• Peter Abelard's Contribution

  • Prominent student of Roscellinus, known for significant philosophical thought and personal anecdotes (e.g., affair with Heloise).