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Anselm, Proslogion

4 important questions on Anselm, Proslogion

What is the difference in content between the Monologion and the Poslogion? What do their titles mean?

Monologion means 'soliloquy', proslogion means 'allocution'. Proslogion is supposed to be some sort of prayer/meditation/formal speech whereas the monologion was a theological treatise (verhandeling) and a monologue.

The alternative title of the Proslogion is Faith in Quest of Understanding. How would you explain this title? What does it tell you about the relationship between philosophy and religion?

Perhaps it means to define faith by trying to understand its roots and core by philosophizing about faith. It could also mean that the writer is trying to gain an understanding of life by using faith and the philosophy of this faith.
--> if you can follow God's reasoning, you can understand him.

Anselm uses a form of argumentation. What is reductio ad absurdum?

The form of argument that attempts to establish a claim by showing that the opposite scenario would lead to absurdity or contradiction

Explain the role of 'the Fool' in Anselm's argument. How does Anselm explain the fact that there are some people (the 'Fools') who appear to be able to deny the existence of God?

The role of the fool is that of an atheist or disbeliever. When you don't believe in God you won't be able to understand he exists. So with this, he shows that you should believe in order to be able to understand it. You are a fool if you don't since you know God exists. And you know this because you have an image in your head. Since this is the case, you know there is a God and God is that-than-which-nothing-greater-can-be-thought. When you believe in god you will find out.

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