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This book examines the ways in which traditions of philosophy and logic are reflected in major works of medieval literature.
List of contents
Introduction; Part I. Logical Fables: 1. Abélard's donkey: the nonexistent particular; 2. The literate animal: naming and reference; 3. The fox and the unicorn: naming and existence; Part II. Figures of Contradiction: 4. The opponent; 5. The fool who says no to God; 6. The man who says no to reason; Part III. Fathers, Sons, and Friends: 7. Aristotle or the founding son; 8. Abélard or the fatherless son; 9. The dialectics of friendship; Conclusion; Bibliography.
About the author
Virginie Greene is Professor of French in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard University, Massachusetts. She is author of Cent vues de John Harvard (2011), co-author of Thinking Through Chrétien de Troyes (2011), translator of Le débat sur le Roman de la Rose (2006), and editor of The Medieval Author in French Medieval Literature (2006).
Summary
Virginie Greene explores the influence of philosophy and logic on major works of medieval literature, including those by Anselm of Canterbury, Abélard, and Chrétien de Troyes. Greene examines these Old French 'logical fictions' as essential objects of thought and modes of thinking in Western philosophy.
