Since I preferred the armour of logic...I exchanged all other arms for it and chose the contests of disputation above the trophies of warfare. And so, practicing logic,I wandered about the various provinces wherever I heard that the pursuit of this art was vigorous.

-Peter Abelard

Peter Abelard was a man of many talents, and many shortcomings. His contribution to the church and to Christianity are not recognized because of the latter.

Born Pierre du Pallet in France, he took the name Abelard while he was attending University of Paris. At the university he quickly became known for his intelligence, sense of humor and ability to debate. “He tells us himself that he mopped the floor with his opponents, and silenced or convinced all his professors” (Online biography). Abelard wrote a book entitled Sic Et Non (Yes and No) which was written in a manner contrary to the norm of theologians of his day who simply proved their points by quoting statements from the church fathers. Abelard, on the other hand, brought up many theological issues and then proceeded to quote the Fathers on one side of the issue, and then quoted Fathers on the other side of the issue. His point being the ambiguity of language and the dependence on the context in which it is produced.

While he was a canon of Notre Dame Cathedral, he met and fell in love with Heloise. And the demise of Peter Abelard began to unfold. Abelard was able to obtain board at the house of Heloise’s uncle, who was at that time an admirer of Abelards. However, one thing led to another and Abelard and Heloise became intimate, and Heloise got pregnant. This was a difficult situation because Abelard was unable to marry and retain his professorship, however, not marrying would make uncle very unhappy so they lived two lives: married in the face of uncle, and single and celibate in the face of the church. Unfortunately, uncle decided that Abelard was not being truthful, and would ruin Heliose so he had him castrated.

Abelard decided to become a Monk and entered the Abbey of St. Denis, Heloise became a nun (many suggest against her will), and Astrolabe (their child) was adopted by Heloise’s sister. True love however, never dies, and Heloise and Abelard continued to write love letters or letters of protest from Heloise. Abelard didn’t get on well with the other Monks so he became a lecturer. He then wrote Theologia, a controversial book on the Trinity, and the book was examined at council at Soissons. Because Abelard had been circulating the book prior to peer review they condemned it and had it burned. After which he was offered a position as head of the monastery of Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys. Thinking he would be a lax leader the monks were happy about the situation, however when Abelard proved very strict they attempted to poison him, so he left this position.

In 1137 Abelard’s primary supporter the King of France died, and the monk Bernard of Clairvaux felt that Abelard was a danger to the faith and had him condemned.

Timeline

1100 set up his own school

1119 publicly disgraced

1121 book burned

1126 abbot of St-Gildas-de-Rhuis

1140 condemed for heresy

Books Written

Logica Ingredientibus