Peter Abelard

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Peter Abelard (12 February 1079 – 21 April 1142) was a French philosopher, logician, theologian, composer, and poet, regarded as one of the most brilliant and controversial theologians of his time. Born at Pallet, near Nantes, he became a popular lecturer in Paris, but his academic career was cut short after his love affair with his student and eventual wife, Héloïse d'Argenteuil. Their relationship and philosophical exchange later became the aspect of his life for which he is best known in history and popular culture. In philosophy, Abelard challenged the prevailing philosophical orthodoxy and is celebrated for his logical treatment of the problem of universals through nominalism and conceptualism, thereby helping to prepare the way for nominalism, as well as for pioneering the role of intent in ethics. He has often been called the "Descartes of the twelfth century" and has been considered a forerunner of Rousseau, Kant, and Spinoza. He is also sometimes credited as a major forerunner...

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