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PHILOSOPHY PROFILE

Anselm of Canterbury

1077–1078

START WITH THE PUZZLE

Does the concept of the greatest conceivable being entail that it exists in reality as well as thought?

Evidence-backed moments
2
Timeline events
1
Verified places
0

This is a guided intellectual story assembled from verified claims, works, and events in which this thinker actually appears. It avoids filling gaps with a generic encyclopedia biography.

Why this thinker is worth following

Story 1How far can reason speak about faith?

Anselm — Faith seeking understanding and an argument for existence

The question that opens it

Does the concept of the greatest conceivable being entail that it exists in reality as well as thought?

Follow the argument, not just the name
  1. 1

    The Proslogion argues from “that than which nothing greater can be conceived” within a prayerful project of faith seeking understanding.

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    This is an evidence-linked editorial account, not a direct quotation.

    • Saint Anselm

      Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

      Locator: §2.1 Faith Seeking Understanding; §3 The Proslogion

      Open source
  2. 2

    Debate continues over whether the reasoning illicitly defines something into existence, offers a modal argument for necessary being, or functions primarily as meditation.

    Check the evidence

    This is an evidence-linked editorial account, not a direct quotation.

    • Saint Anselm

      Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

      Locator: §3.1–§3.5, reconstructions and objections

      Open source
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Decisive moments in time

  1. Around 1077–1078

    The Proslogion turns conceptual reflection within faith into a public argument.

    PerspectiveOpen in question

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