The Metalogicon of John of Salisbury: A Twelfth-Century Defense of the Verbal and Logical Arts of the Trivium

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The Metalogicon of John of Salisbury

A Twelfth-Century Defense of the Verbal and Logical Arts of the Trivium

Translated by:

Language: English

Published/Copyright: 2023

About this book

Metalogicon of John of Salisbury: A Twelfth-Century Defense of the Verbal and Logical Arts of the Trivium stands as a seminal work in the history of medieval educational theory. Completed in 1159, this treatise passionately defends the liberal arts, specifically the Trivium—grammar, logic, and rhetoric—arguing for their fundamental role in intellectual development and societal progress. Written against the backdrop of the twelfth-century intellectual renaissance, the Metalogicon champions the application of reason and eloquence in education, advocating a rigorous and systematic study of these disciplines. John of Salisbury’s insights resonate as he critiques pedagogical shortcomings of his era while providing a robust framework for intellectual inquiry, which later shaped scholasticism and informed modern scientific reasoning.

Beyond its educational arguments, the Metalogicon is a treasure trove of historical and philosophical reflection. It offers a vivid snapshot of twelfth-century academic and intellectual life, interweaving classical and early Christian thought with medieval perspectives. John’s erudition and stylistic grace illuminate his vision of education as a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom, vital for cultivating not only intellectual excellence but also moral and civic virtues. This work not only marks a turning point in Western pedagogy but also cements John’s legacy as a critical figure in the evolution of educational and philosophical traditions.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1955.

Topics

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Frontmatter
I

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PREFACE
VII
Daniel D. McGarry

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CONTENTS
IX

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INTRODUCTION
XV

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PROLOGUE
3

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BOOK ONE
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1. The false accusation that has evoked this rejoinder to Cornificius
9

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2. A description of Cornificius, without giving his name
12

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3. When, how, and by whom Cornificius was educated
13

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4. The lot of his companions in error
17

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5. What great men that tribe dares to defame, and why they do this
21

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6. The arguments on which Cornificius bases his contention
24

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7. Praise of Eloquence
26

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8. The necessity of helping nature by use and exercise
28

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9. That one who attacks logic is trying to rob mankind of eloquence
31

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10. What "logic" means, and how we should endeavor to acquire all arts that are not reprobate
32

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11. The nature of art, the various hinds of innate abilities, and the fact that natural talents should be cultivated and developed by the arts
33

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12. Why some arts are called "liberal"
36

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13. Whence grammar gets its name
37

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14. Although it is not natural, grammar imitates nature
38

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15. That adjectives of secondary application should not be copulated with nouns of primary application, as in the example "a patronymic horse"
41

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16. That adjectives of primary origin are copulated with nouns of primary application
47

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17. "That grammar also imitates nature in poetry
51

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18. What grammar should prescribe, and what it should forbid
52

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19. That a knowledge of figures [of speech] is most useful
56

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20. With what the grammarian should concern himself
58

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21. By what great men grammar has been appreciated, and the fact that ignorance of this art is as much a handicap in philosophy as is deafness and dumbness
60

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22. That Cornificius invokes the authority of Seneca to defend his erroneous contentions
62

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23. The chief aids to philosophical inquiry and the practice of virtue; as well as how grammar is the foundation of both philosophy and virtue
64

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24. Practical observations on reading and lecturing, together with [an account of] the method employed by Bernard of Chartres and his followers
65

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25. A short conclusion concerning the value of grammar.
72

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BOOK TWO
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[PROLOGUE]
73

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1. Because its object is to ascertain the truth, logic is a valuable asset in all fields of philosophy
74

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2. The Peripatetic school, and the origin and founder of logic
76

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3. That those who would philosophize should be taught logic. Also the distinction between demonstrative, probable, and sophistical logic
78

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4. What dialectic is, and whence it gets its name
80

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5. The subdivisions of the dialectical art, and the objective of logicians
81

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6. That all seek after logic, yet not all are successful in their quest
84

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7. That those who are verbal jugglers of irrelevant nonsense must first be disabused of their erring ways before they can come to know anything
88

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8. If they had but heeded Aristotle, he would have prevented them from going to extremes
90

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9. That dialectic is ineffective when it is divorced from other studies
93

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10. On whose authority the foregoing and following are based
95

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11. The limited extent of the efficacy of dialectic by itself
100

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12. The subject matter of dialectic, and the means it uses
101

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13. The tremendous value of a scientific knowledge of probable principles; and the difficulties involved in determining what principles are absolutely necessary
103

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14. More on the same subject
106

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15 . What is a dialectical proposition, and what is a dialectical problem
107

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16 . That all other teachers of this art [of dialectic] acknowledge Aristotle as their master
109

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17. In what a pernicious manner logic is sometimes taught; and the ideas of moderns about [the nature of] genera and species
111

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18. That men always alter the opinions of their predecessors
116

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19. Wherein teachers of this kind are not to be forgiven
117

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20. Aristotle's opinion concerning genera and species, supported by numerous confirmatory reasons and references to written works
118

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BOOK THREE
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[PROLOGUE]
142

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1. How one should lecture on Porphyry and other books
146

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2. The utility of the Categories, [some remarks concerning] their instruments
150

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3. What is the scope of the predicaments, and with what the prudent moderation of those who philosophize should rest content
155

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4. The scope and usefulness of the Periermenie [Interpretation], or more correctly of the Periermenias.
165

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5. What constitutes the body of the art, and [some remarks on] the utility of the Book of the Topics.
170

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6. The utility and scope of the [first] three books of the Topics
176

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7. A brief account of the fourth and fifth books [of the Topics]
179

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8. Of definition, the subject of the sixth book [of the Topics]
181

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9. The problem of identity and diversity, which is treated in the seventh book; together with some general observations concerning the Topics
185

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10. The utility of the eighth book [of the Topics]
189

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BOOK FOUR
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[PROLOGUE]
203

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1. The book of the Analytics examines reasoning.
204

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2. The universal utility of this science [of the Analytics], and the etymology of its title
205

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3. The book's utility does not include the provision of rhetorical expression
206

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4. The scope of the first book [of the Analytics]
207

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5. The scope of the second book [of the Analytics]
209

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6. The difficulty of the Posterior Analytics, and whence this [difficulty] proceeds
212

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7. Why Aristotle has come to be called the “philosopher” par excellence
213

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8. The [proper] junction of demonstrative logic, as well as the sources and techniques of demonstration. Also the fact that sensation is the basis of science, and how this is true
214

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9. What sensation is, and how it, together with imagination, is the foundation of every branch of philosophy
216

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10. The imagination, and the fact that it is the source of affections that either compose and order, or disturb and deform the soul
218

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11. The nature of imagination, together with remaps on opinion. Also how opinion or sensation may be deceived, and the origin of fronesis, which we call “prudence”
220

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12. The nature, subject matter, and activities of prudence; and how science originates from sensation
221

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13. The difference between “science” and “wisdom” and what is “faith”
222

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14. The relationship of prudence and truth, the origins of prudence, and the nature of reason
224

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15. More about what reason is, as well as the fact that the word "reason" has several different meanings, and that reasons are everlasting
225

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16. A distinction of various meanings [of the word “reason”], and the fact that brute animals do not possess reason, even though they may seem to have discernment. Also the origin of human reason according to the Hebrews
226

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17. Reasons junction; why sensation, which reason supervises, is situated in the head; and who are philology's servants
228

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18. The distinction between reason and [intuitive] understanding, and the nature of the latter
230

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19. The nature of wisdom, and the fact that, with the help of grace, wisdom derives [originally] from sense perception
231

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20. The cognition, simplicity, and immortality of the soul, according to Cicero
232

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21. Although Aristotle has not sufficiently discussed hypothetical [conditional] reasoning in the foregoing booths, he has, at it were, sowed seed for such a treatment
235

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22. Sophistry and its utility
236

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23. The Sophistical Refutations
238

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24. A word about those who disparage the works of Aristotle
240

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25. The fact that Cornificus is even more contemptible than Bromius, the buffoon of the gods. Also how Augustine and other philosophers praise logic
241

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26. What tactics we should employ against Cornificius and [other like] perverse calumniators [of logic]
242

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27. Although he has been mistaken on several points, Aristotle is preeminent in logic
243

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28. How logic should be employed
244

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29. That the temerity of adolescence should be restrained; why eloquence weds philology; and what should be our main objectives
245

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30. The fact that philology precedes its two sisters. Also what investigation by categories is appropriate in a discussion of reason and truth
247

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31. The nature of original reason, and some observations concerning philosophical sects
250

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32. What is opposed to reason, and the fact that the word "reason" has several different senses, as well as that reasons are eternal
252

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33. The imperfection of human reason; and the fact that the word “true” has various senses
253

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34. The etymology of the word uerum ["true"], the nature of truth, and what is contrary to truth
255

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35. More about truths, and the fact that things, words, and truths are said to exist in different ways, with an explanation of the latter
258

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36. The difference between things that are true and things that only seem to be true, according to the Platonists
261

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37. That things, opinions, and speech are called “true” or “false” in different senses; and why such expressions are called “modal”
263

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38. The intimate connection between reason and truth, with a brief explanation of the nature of each
266

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39. A continuation of the aforesaid [discussion]. Also the fact that neither reason nor truth have contraries
267

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40. The proper aim of the Peripatetics, as well as of all who philosophize correctly, and the eight obstacles to understanding
268

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41. [Untitled] [The limitations of reason and the function of faith]
272

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42. How the fact that the world is subject to vanity is confirmed by visible proofs, and why this book is now concluded
273

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
277

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INDEX
295

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Publishing information

Pages and Images/Illustrations in book

eBook published on:

September 30, 2020

eBook ISBN:

9780520345935

Edition:

Reprint 2020

Pages and Images/Illustrations in book

Main content:

334

https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520345935

eBook ISBN: 9780520345935

Keywords for this book

Christian philosophy; Christianity; history of philosophy; history of theology; history of western philosophy; philosophy; theology

University of California Press

The Metalogicon of John of Salisbury

Overview

About this book

Topics

Table of contents

Frontmatter

PREFACE

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

PROLOGUE

1. The false accusation that has evoked this rejoinder to Cornificius

2. A description of Cornificius, without giving his name

3. When, how, and by whom Cornificius was educated

4. The lot of his companions in error

5. What great men that tribe dares to defame, and why they do this

6. The arguments on which Cornificius bases his contention

7. Praise of Eloquence

8. The necessity of helping nature by use and exercise

9. That one who attacks logic is trying to rob mankind of eloquence

10. What "logic" means, and how we should endeavor to acquire all arts that are not reprobate

11. The nature of art, the various hinds of innate abilities, and the fact that natural talents should be cultivated and developed by the arts

12. Why some arts are called "liberal"

13. Whence grammar gets its name

14. Although it is not natural, grammar imitates nature

15. That adjectives of secondary application should not be copulated with nouns of primary application, as in the example "a patronymic horse"

16. That adjectives of primary origin are copulated with nouns of primary application

17. "That grammar also imitates nature in poetry

18. What grammar should prescribe, and what it should forbid

19. That a knowledge of figures [of speech] is most useful

20. With what the grammarian should concern himself

21. By what great men grammar has been appreciated, and the fact that ignorance of this art is as much a handicap in philosophy as is deafness and dumbness

22. That Cornificius invokes the authority of Seneca to defend his erroneous contentions

23. The chief aids to philosophical inquiry and the practice of virtue; as well as how grammar is the foundation of both philosophy and virtue

24. Practical observations on reading and lecturing, together with [an account of] the method employed by Bernard of Chartres and his followers

25. A short conclusion concerning the value of grammar.

[PROLOGUE]

1. Because its object is to ascertain the truth, logic is a valuable asset in all fields of philosophy

2. The Peripatetic school, and the origin and founder of logic

3. That those who would philosophize should be taught logic. Also the distinction between demonstrative, probable, and sophistical logic

4. What dialectic is, and whence it gets its name

5. The subdivisions of the dialectical art, and the objective of logicians

6. That all seek after logic, yet not all are successful in their quest

7. That those who are verbal jugglers of irrelevant nonsense must first be disabused of their erring ways before they can come to know anything

8. If they had but heeded Aristotle, he would have prevented them from going to extremes

9. That dialectic is ineffective when it is divorced from other studies

10. On whose authority the foregoing and following are based

11. The limited extent of the efficacy of dialectic by itself

12. The subject matter of dialectic, and the means it uses

13. The tremendous value of a scientific knowledge of probable principles; and the difficulties involved in determining what principles are absolutely necessary

14. More on the same subject

15 . What is a dialectical proposition, and what is a dialectical problem

16 . That all other teachers of this art [of dialectic] acknowledge Aristotle as their master

17. In what a pernicious manner logic is sometimes taught; and the ideas of moderns about [the nature of] genera and species

18. That men always alter the opinions of their predecessors

19. Wherein teachers of this kind are not to be forgiven

20. Aristotle's opinion concerning genera and species, supported by numerous confirmatory reasons and references to written works

[PROLOGUE]

1. How one should lecture on Porphyry and other books

2. The utility of the Categories, [some remarks concerning] their instruments

3. What is the scope of the predicaments, and with what the prudent moderation of those who philosophize should rest content

4. The scope and usefulness of the Periermenie [Interpretation], or more correctly of the Periermenias.

5. What constitutes the body of the art, and [some remarks on] the utility of the Book of the Topics.

6. The utility and scope of the [first] three books of the Topics

7. A brief account of the fourth and fifth books [of the Topics]

8. Of definition, the subject of the sixth book [of the Topics]

9. The problem of identity and diversity, which is treated in the seventh book; together with some general observations concerning the Topics

10. The utility of the eighth book [of the Topics]

[PROLOGUE]

1. The book of the Analytics examines reasoning.

2. The universal utility of this science [of the Analytics], and the etymology of its title

3. The book's utility does not include the provision of rhetorical expression

4. The scope of the first book [of the Analytics]

5. The scope of the second book [of the Analytics]

6. The difficulty of the Posterior Analytics, and whence this [difficulty] proceeds

7. Why Aristotle has come to be called the “philosopher” par excellence

8. The [proper] junction of demonstrative logic, as well as the sources and techniques of demonstration. Also the fact that sensation is the basis of science, and how this is true

9. What sensation is, and how it, together with imagination, is the foundation of every branch of philosophy

10. The imagination, and the fact that it is the source of affections that either compose and order, or disturb and deform the soul

11. The nature of imagination, together with remaps on opinion. Also how opinion or sensation may be deceived, and the origin of fronesis, which we call “prudence”