Ziolkowski, Jan M., trans., Letters of Peter Abelard: Beyond the Personal (Washington DC: Catholic University Press, 2007). ISBN: 978
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Text name(s):

Number of pages of primary source text: 196

Medieval Author(s): Abelard, Peter

Dates: 1100 - 1200

Archival Reference:

Original Language(s): Latin;

Translation: English translation.

Translation Comments:

Geopolitical Region(s): Europe;

County/Region:

Apparatus: Index Bibliography Introduction

Comments:

Peter Abelard was a philosopher, teacher, theologian, and logician, and considered to be one of the greatest thinkers of the Middle Ages. Today, he is most famous for having a tragic affair with his gifted student, Heloise. In the Middle Ages, he was known for his contributions to scholastic philosophy: his ideas of dialectic provide some of the basis of scholasticism. He was a well-respected teacher at the University of Paris: students flocked to Paris to hear his lectures. Some of his theological ideas about the Trinity were challenged and condemned by the Church. This edition includes a translation of some of Abelard’s letters, divided into three categories: to Heloise (actually to Heloise and her nuns at the convent of Paraclete which she founded); to Bernard of Clairvaux, with whom he had a celebrated and bitter feud; and to a variety of other congregations of clergy who sought his advice.

Introduction Summary:

In his lengthy (52 pp) introduction, the editor provides biographical information on Peter Abelard and a discussion of his academic works. He examines the theological problems Abelard considered in his letters, including the nature of God and the Trinity. He also summarizes the letters’ contents, dividing them into letters to Heloise and her nuns at Paraclete; to Bernard of Clairvaux; and to various other congregations of clergy.

Cataloger: MCB