My thesis is an examination of Abelard's construction of himself as a Christian philosopher. A critical part of this question is how Abelard finds in the Patristic theologian Origen a model for his idea of a Christian philosopher. In the Introduction I provide a summary and analysis of previous scholarship on two questions. Firstly, I give a survey of how Origen functions as a model for Abelard's identity. Secondly, I consider the relationships between monastery and cathedral on the subject of philosophy. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the etymology of philosophus in Abelardian thought. I posit that in the Soliloquium and Theologia Christiana Abelard constructs the philosopher as a model for monastic expressions of ethica, r, contemptus mundi and disciplina morum. Chapter 2 examines how Abelard's use of philosophical examples, including Origen, as models for a monastic identity, was problematic and led to conflict. In Chapter 3 I assert that Abelard uses the etymology of philosophus attributed to Heloise in the Historia Calamitatum, in order to highlight his conversion from a worldly philosopher to a Christian philosopher (monk). The model for Abelard's Christian philosopher is Origen. Chapter 4 sets out the trajectory of Origen in Abelardian thought, from Origen as a heterodox theologian to Origen as a model for Abelard's integration of the secular arts into theology in the Historia Calamitatum. Chapter 5 examines how Fulk of Deuil and Roscelin of Cornpieqne refer to Abelard's castration in order to question his monastic identity, while Cha-pter 6 details Abelard's use of Origen to counter such criticisms. Abelard appropriates Origen's castration to show that in his role as a spiritual director to a female monastic community, he is above suspicion of lust. In the Conclusion I assert that Abelard embodies in the person of Origen his monastic reading of philosophus.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:549729 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | Taylor, Carl Gary |
| Publisher | University of Leeds |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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