Varieties of the Self: Peter Abelard and the Mental Architecture of the Paraclete

Babette S Hellemans*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Book/ReportBookAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The Paraclete was founded in 1129. Out of necessity to find a new place to shelter a group of nuns, this female community was created by Peter Abelard (1079–1142) for Heloise of Argenteuil (1090–1164). Varieties of the Self shows how this community was dependent on a network of monasteries, while also representing a formative driving force in the twelfth-century reform, the period of flourishing to which it clearly belonged. The anthropological approach connects different works written by Peter Abelard (hymns, life-rules, letters, biblical commentaries) to views on the female self. What is the perspective on identity, sacrifice, and intentionality within these sources, and how do views on pollution, purity, and sacredness reflect on ethics of body and soul?
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationLeiden
PublisherBrill Academic Publisher
Number of pages209
ISBN (Electronic)978-90-04-54085-9
ISBN (Print)978-90-04-54083-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Publication series

NameBrill's Studies in Intellectual History
PublisherBrill
Volume348
ISSN (Print)0920-8607

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