St. Anselm: Basic Writings

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Summary: A divine philosopher in his own right.
Review: I must first say and admit that I had never heard of this author/saint in question, i.e., St Anselm; however, I quickly realize that I have definitely been missing out on some of the most thought worthy person that I have ever read. Even though some of his arguments might seem to be grounded in simplicity, this could be no further from the truth. St. Anselm writes in the prosologium on the theory that " God is sensible (sensibilis) although he is not a body. Then a detractor would say that of course god is sensible since he is omnipotent. However, St. Anselm is right to state the following " Therefore, O lord, although thou art not a body, yet thou art truly sensible in the highest degree in respect of this, that thou dost cognise all things in the highest degree; and not as an animal cognizes, through a corporeal sense." Overall I would have to say that this book, i.e., Saint Anselm's Basic Writings by Sidney M. Deane is one of more intellectually challenging books that I have read for quite a while and I would definitely recommend it to anyone whom appreciates a cerebral author whom writes with a purpose and therefore a distinct direction of thought.

Rating:
Summary: "Great Defintion for the Existence of God"
Review: St. Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, philosopher, father of scholastism, and doctor of the highly-esteemed Ontological Argument has in this work (Proslogium, Monologium, Cur Deus Homo, and Reply to Gaunilo)decribed and defended the nature of the most Trascendent Being in a profound yet simplistic manner.

He begins his treatise stating that "God is greater than that of which can be conceived." While at the same time he emphasizes that we must not be intimidated by God's incomprehensiblity, but rather that we are reconciled to the Divine Knowledge by a means of simply believing in Him. Anselm quotes from (Psalms 14:1) which says that "the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God". So to Anselm the one who does not believe is the one who will never gain understanding, and to the believer, he says that, "they set straight the path to all wisdom and understanding." Thus, an incomprehensible Being, reveals what he wills to the ones who seek Him diligently. This is the scope of his work in rudiments, but Anselm expounds with clarity on each and every subject at hand that he works with. So as the reader you never feel that you are getting to little, or to much information. Also you will invariably receive new insights (which is the bread and butter of the Ontological Argument)no matter how well read and learned you are on the subject.

The introduction to this book proves itself to be invaluable by summarizing the basic philosophy of Anselm. It also contains refutations and defenses to the Ontological Argument by some of the most reknowed philosophers of all time such as Kant, Hegel, Locke, Spinoza, and Descartes', to name a few. This way you can gain a better perspective of the way you will deal with the subject matter will reading. Despite reading a few of these counter-arguments I found that none of them could add to, or take away from the sheer purity of Anslem's argument.

Deemed as the second Augustine , Anselm kept an extreme adherrence to the Holy Sriptures, the edicts promulgated by the Nicene Fathers, and an emphasis rooted deeply in the power of pure reason, which rightly has acredited him such an honorable title.

So I would strongly suggest purchasing this book. It has been a rewarding and valuable asset to have on my shelf and I hope it makes its way to yours.