Abelard Abelard (Abailard), Pierre

1079–1142. Born near Nantes, he lived and worked in France writing mainly on theology, logic and metaphysics, and ethics. His theology is sometimes thought to be rationalistic, subordinating faith to reason, though interpretations differ. He steered a middle course between realism and nominalism over UNIVERSALS, and his ethics particularly emphasized intention. His writings are of uncertain date, but include in
theology Theologia Christiana and Sic et Non, in logic and metaphysics Logical Ingredientibus and Dialectica, and in ethics Ethica (or Scito Teipsum).