Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Saint Anselm of Canterbury: A significant historical and theological figure, specifically an Italian Benedictine monk who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. He is recognized as one of the founders of scholasticism and is most famous for his philosophical arguments for the existence of God.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The ontological argument for God's existence is famously associated with St. Anselm.
  • St. Anselm's writings had a profound influence on medieval philosophy and theology.
  • As Archbishop of Canterbury, St. Anselm was involved in significant conflicts with the English monarchy.

Advanced Usage

• "Anselmian": Pertaining to or characteristic of the thought or arguments of St. Anselm.
  • The philosopher presented an Anselmian interpretation of faith and reason.

Variants and Related Words

• Anselm: The name without the saintly title, often used in academic or philosophical contexts.
  • The works of Anselm are central to understanding early scholasticism.
• Scholasticism: The school of thought of which St. Anselm was a founder, emphasizing the use of reason to explore theological truths.

Synonyms

• Anselm of Canterbury: The full formal title.
• Saint Anselm: The formal religious title.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Ontological Argument: The philosophical proof for God's existence for which St. Anselm is best known.
  • St. Anselm formulated the ontological argument in his work Proslogion.
• Cur Deus Homo ("Why God Became Man"): The title of one of St. Anselm's major theological works.
  • In Cur Deus Homo, St. Anselm developed a theory of atonement.

Noun

1. an Italian who was a Benedictine monk; was archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109; one of the founders of scholasticism; best known for his proof of the existence of God