Proslogion
by Anselm
Assigned by 4 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- c. 1078
- Era
- Medieval
- Form
- Theology
- Language
- Latin
- Length
- Short · 60 ppunder 120 pages
- Difficulty
- Demanding3 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendAnselm of Canterbury: The Major WorksOxford University PressOxford World's Classics prints the Proslogion with the Monologion, Gaunilo's reply and Anselm's answer.
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Written at the abbey of Bec and first called Faith Seeking Understanding, the Proslogion is a prayer that contains an argument. Anselm asks God to let him understand what he already believes, and proposes a single proof that needs no premises drawn from the world. God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived; a being that exists only in the mind would be less great than one that exists in reality; therefore the fool who says in his heart there is no God is contradicting himself. The later chapters draw out the divine attributes and end in praise.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Proslogion are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
