Proslogion: including Gaunilo Objections and Anselm's Replies

SinopseProslogion: including Gaunilo Objections and Anselm's Replies

Anselm’s Proslogion (1077), written for fellow Benedictine monks, is renowned for its famous yet often misunderstood argument for God’s existence, commonly called the “ontological argument.” Anselm’s central concept is “something than which nothing greater can be thought,” leading to the conclusion that such a being necessarily exists. However, this argument occupies only a small part of the work. The opening chapter offers a profound reflection on human frailty, setting the stage for the argument that follows, while the remaining 20 chapters explore the nature of God in greater depth, revealing divine attributes such as justice, goodness, and infinite compassion.

This edition provides a complete, accessible translation of the Proslogion, including Gaunilo’s contemporary objections and Anselm’s replies. The introduction situates the text in its monastic, pre-Scholastic context, emphasizing Anselm’s craftsmanship in uniting the work into a cohesive whole. Notes and commentary help readers appreciate its structure and theological artistry, moving beyond narrow Scholastic or modern analytic interpretations. Edited by Matthew Walz, a philosophy professor at the University of Dallas, this edition is designed to capture the beauty of Anselm’s prose and enhance teaching and study of this medieval masterpiece.