Proslogium

Anselm of Canterbury — translated by Sidney Norton Deane (Open Court, 1903; reprint 1926), from CCEL.

Written 1077–78 as Fides quaerens intellectum, “faith seeking understanding.” It opens in prayer and arrives, in Chapters 2–4, at the argument that God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived — the ontological argument, which has been in dispute ever since. Gaunilo’s objection and Anselm’s reply are in In Behalf of the Fool.

Up: Anselm of Canterbury

Contents (27)

1. Preface
2. Chapter 1
3. Chapter 2. Truly there is a God, although the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God
4. Chapter 3. God cannot be conceived not to exist.—God is that, than which nothing greater can be conceived.—That which can be conceived not to exist is not God
5. Chapter 4
6. Chapter 5. God is whatever it is better to be than not to be; and he, as the only self-existent being, creates all things from nothing
7. Chapter 6
8. Chapter 7
9. Chapter 8
10. Chapter 9
11. Chapter 10
12. Chapter 11
13. Chapter 12. God is the very life whereby he lives; and so of other like attributes
14. Chapter 13
15. Chapter 14. How and why God is seen and yet not seen by those who seek him
16. Chapter 15. He is greater than can be conceived
17. Chapter 16. This is the unapproachable light wherein he dwells
18. Chapter 17. In God is harmony, fragrance, sweetness, pleasantness to the touch, beauty, after his ineffable manner
19. Chapter 18
20. Chapter 19. He does not exist in place or time, but all things exist in him
21. Chapter 20
22. Chapter 21
23. Chapter 22. He alone is what he is and who he is.—All things need God for their being and their well-being
24. Chapter 23
25. Chapter 24. Conjecture as to the character and the magnitude of this good.—If the created life is good, how good is the creative life!
26. Chapter 25. What goods and how great, belong to those who enjoy this good.—Joy is multiplied in the blessed from the blessedness and joy of others
27. Chapter 26