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What did Peter Abelard argue about sin in Ethica or Scito te ipsum?
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Peter Abelard
Peter Abelard, with Héloïse, miniature portrait by Jean de Meun, 14th century; in the Musee Conde, Chantilly, France.
In his work Ethica or Scito te ipsum ("Know Thyself"), Peter Abelard presented a revolutionary analysis of sin, arguing that human actions in themselves are neither good nor bad in the sight of God.1
Instead, Abelard maintained that the moral quality of an act is determined entirely by a person's intention. According to his framework:21
- Sin is not an act: Sin is not something done (it is not res), nor does it consist merely in the desire for a wrong act.21
- Consent is key: Sin is defined specifically as the mental consent of a human mind to what it knows to be wrong.21
By emphasizing that sin resides in the intention rather than the external deed or the mere presence of physical desire, Abelard sought to address the moral difficulty of holding individuals responsible for involuntary impulses. This focus on internal disposition marked a significant shift in ethical theory, influencing later medieval thought and modern discussions regarding moral responsibility.2