Roscelin of Compiègne

Abstract

Roscelin of Compiègne’s reputation in the history of philosophy was secured by his critical interaction with the more famous Anselm of Canterbury and Peter Abelard. Since no writings in his hand, save for one letter written to his former student Abelard (Reiners, Der Nominalismus in der Frühscholastik: Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Universalienfrage im Mittelalter. Beiträge zur Geschichte der Philosophie des Mittelalters, 8(5). Münster, 1910), have been identified, and reports of his positions come from critical or even hostile sources, determining the precise character of Roscelin’s philosophical and theological views is difficult and controversial. Evidence suggests that he was part of a ..