Monologion

work by Anselm of Canterbury

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June 30, 2026

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The Monologion, written by St. Anselm of Canterbury around 1077, is a theological treatise that uses reason to explore the existence and attributes of God. Anselm, a key figure in medieval philosophy and known as the father of Scholasticism, aimed to provide logical proofs for Christian beliefs.12

In the Monologion, Anselm presents three arguments for God's existence. These arguments begin by observing the multiplicity of good things and beings, then reason towards a single, supreme Good and a supremely perfect being, which he identifies as God. This work was written at the request of his fellow monks who sought a meditation on God that relied solely on reason, rather than scriptural authority. Anselm's later work, the Proslogion, further developed his famous ontological argument for God's existence.12

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St. Anselm of Canterbury
Early life and career
…(1077), Anselm had written the Monologion (“Monologue”) at the request of some of his fellow monks. A theological treatise, the Monologion was both apologetic and religious in intent. It attempted to demonstrate the existence and attributes of God by an appeal to reason alone rather than by the customary appeal…
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…(1077), Anselm had written the Monologion (“Monologue”) at the request of some of his fellow monks. A theological treatise, the Monologion was both apologetic and religious in intent. It attempted to demonstrate the existence and attributes of God by an appeal to reason alone rather than by the customary appeal…
Read More

Western philosophy
Anselm
He replied with his Monologion (1077; “Monologue”). It contains three proofs of the existence of God, all of which are based on Neoplatonic thought. The first proof moves from the awareness of a multiplicity of good things to the recognition that they all share or participate more or less…
Read More
He replied with his Monologion (1077; “Monologue”). It contains three proofs of the existence of God, all of which are based on Neoplatonic thought. The first proof moves from the awareness of a multiplicity of good things to the recognition that they all share or participate more or less…
Read More

medieval philosophy
St. Anselm
He replied with his Monologion (1077; “Monologue”). It contains three proofs of the existence of God, all of which are based on Neoplatonic thought. The first proof moves from the awareness of a multiplicity of good things to the recognition that they all share or participate more or less…
Read More
He replied with his Monologion (1077; “Monologue”). It contains three proofs of the existence of God, all of which are based on Neoplatonic thought. The first proof moves from the awareness of a multiplicity of good things to the recognition that they all share or participate more or less…
Read More