John of Salisbury

John of Salisbury (Latin Joannis Salisberiensis, * 1115, † October 25, 1180 in Chartres ) was an Englishman and one of the most famous theologians of his time. He studied under Peter Abelard in Paris, worked as a secretary for Thomas Becket, and was appointed in 1176 to the bishop of Chartres.

Life

John of Salisbury was born 1115-1120 near Salisbury. About his childhood except for a brief biographical note, nothing is known. In Policraticus, his work on statecraft, he briefly describes his growing up in the house of a priest, which he had been entrusted to well and who taught him the first Psalm.

About the year 1136 John began his studies with William of Conches, Gilbert of Poitiers, Thierry of Chartres and even Peter Abelard. In 1147 he completed his studies in theology and entered the administration of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury to ordination and short activity for his friend Abbot Peter of Celle. There he worked as a legal adviser, ambassador and secretary.

When Theobald died in 1162, John continued its activities under Thomas Becket continued, fell within the scope of the dispute with Henry II but soon out of favor and had to run ahead into exile in France his employer in 1163. It was not until 1170 he returned to Canterbury, just shortly before the murder Thomas Becket on December 29, 1170, the witness he is. From 1174 he worked as treasurer in Exeter, before he was elected in 1176 to the bishopric of Chartres. He died on 25 October 1180 and is buried in the monastery church of Notre- Dame-de- Josaphat.

Work

As author John first met in 1157 with his didactic poem Entheticus de dogmate philosophorum in appearance, that he had probably written in the two preceding years. It is a defense of the trivial form in the form of a plea for ancient literature and philosophy. Two years later, he reached into his Metalogicon this topic again, but expands his remarks, also drawing on insights into the teaching and study operation of his time.

In the same time, written Policraticus ( 1156-59 ), he designed a organological political and social theory based on analogies between human anatomy and the ideal structure of a state. Originally conceived as a mirror of princes, the work is often referred to as the " first great theory of the state of the Middle Ages ". Thomas Becket content should be made aware of his spiritual duties as Chancellor. When Prince mirror the Policraticus kept meaning to the 17th century. In the first part of John criticized the bad habits that were spreading at the court and shows the actual duties of the representative of the state at. In the second part he wanted to offer a guide to virtue and true happiness. He discusses various ancient philosophical approaches, but always wants to connect the philosophical teachings with the insights of Christianity.

The Historia Pontificalis of 1163, a historiographical work of his is present, in which he deals with his time as Pope envoy and the council of Reims from 1148 to 1152. From the same year comes the Vita Anselmi, he wrote to the canonization of the scholastic Anselm of Canterbury. His last work written herself is a written report on the circumstances of death of Thomas Becket, the Vita Sancti Thomae. In addition, a two-volume edition of his voluminous correspondence from the years 1153-1161 and 1163-1180 is available. No other writings are known from his time as Bishop of Chartres from 1176 to 1180.

Philosophical and theological positions

In universals John of Salisbury approached the views of Aristotle. Universals have no independent existence, according to him, but are mental representations of real species. This position is referred to as conceptualism. Salisbury is known for its vehemten attacks against the Cornificianer he mentioned education pragmatist who wanted around since the late 11th century to influence educational canon and education policy. Especially in Entheticus de dogmate philosophorum and Metalogicon to explicit statements are against the Cornificianer and the defense of the trivium.

Works

• Policraticus de Nugis Curialium. - Brussels: Fratres vitae communis, 1479 / 81st Digitized edition of the University and State Library Dusseldorf