Abelard, Peter (1079–1142)

French scholastic philosopher who worked on logic and theology. His romantic liaison with his pupil Héloïse caused a medieval scandal. Details of his life are contained in the autobiographical Historia Calamitatum Mearum/The History of My Misfortunes.

Abelard, born in Pallet, near Nantes, became canon of Notre Dame in Paris and master of the cathedral school in 1115. When his seduction of Héloïse and secret marriage to her (shortly after the birth of a son) became known, she entered a convent. He was castrated at the instigation of her uncle Canon Fulbert, and became a monk. Resuming teaching a year later, he was cited for heresy and became a hermit at Nogent, where he built the oratory of the Paraclete, and later abbot of a monastery in Brittany. Also a musician and composer, he composed songs for Héloïse, planctus, and Latin lamentations.

Abelard opposed realism in the debate over universals, and propounded conceptualism, whereby universal terms have only a mental existence. He asserted the importance of reason in religious belief, and his skilful application of logic and dialectic to such doctrines as the Trinity and atonement, though controversial, gave theology a new breadth.

He died at Châlon-sur-Saône on his way to defend himself against a new charge of heresy. Héloïse was buried beside him at the Paraclete 1164; their remains were taken to Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris 1817.