The thirteenth-century logician Lambert of Auxerre was well known for his Summa Lamberti, or simply Logica, written in the mid-1250s, which became an authoritative textbook on logic in the Western tradition. Our knowledge of medieval logic comes in great part from Lambert's Logica and three other texts: William of Sherwood's Introductiones in logicam, Peter of Spain's Tractatus, and Roger Bacon's Summulae dialectics. Of the four, Lambert's work is the best example of question-summas that proceed principally by asking and answering questions on the subject matter. Thomas S. Maloney's translation of Logica, the only complete translation of this work in any language, is a milestone in the study of medieval logic.

More than simply a translation, Maloney's project is a critical, comprehensive study of Lambert's logic situated in the context of his contemporaries and predecessors. As such, it offers a wealth of annotation and commentary. The lengthy introduction and extensive notes to the text explain the origin, theoretical context, and intricacies of the text and its doctrines. Maloney also addresses the disputed issues of authorship, date, and place of publication of the Summa Lamberti and makes available to the English-only audience the French, German, and Italian secondary sources-all translated-that are needed to enter the discussion.

About the Author

Thomas S. Maloney is professor of philosophy at the University of Louisville. He is the editor and translator of a number of books, including On Signs by Roger Bacon.

Lambert of Auxerre was a medieval 13th century logician best known for writing the book "Summa Lamberti" or simply "Logica" in the mid 1250s which became an authoritative textbook on logic in the Western tradition. He was a Dominican in the Dominican house at Auxerre. His contemporaries were Peter of Spain, William of Sherwood, and Roger Bacon.

Reviews

"Thomas S. Maloney fully commands the primary and secondary sources necessary to elucidate Lambert's Logica. An expert on Roger Bacon's philosophy, he demonstrates a rare proficiency in medieval Latin and Scholastic logic. His references to sources from the ancient (Aristotle and Boethius) and medieval worlds are apposite, perspicuous, and useful. The volume's presentation with an appropriate introduction and commentary in the endnotes will no doubt establish it as an indispensable resource for scholars in the twenty-first century." -Alan Perreiah, University of Kentucky

"This is an invaluable addition to the growing library of medieval logic sources available in English. Thomas S. Maloney's translation is highly readable. His comprehensive overview of the state of research on Lambert's life and work will be a reference-point for future scholars working on thirteenth-century Latin logic." -Paul Thom, University of Sydney

"With this well-crafted translation with a first-rate introduction and notes on Lambert of Auxerre's Logica, Thomas S. Maloney has again established himself as a very able translator and commentator on thirteenth-century logic. Now many scholars will be able to study Lambert, Roger Bacon, and Peter of Spain in the context of the period 1240-1260. This new and excellent translation will be a great help to all who study medieval philosophy. The introduction contains a comprehensive account of the identity of Lambert of Auxerre." -Jeremiah Hackett, University of South Carolina

"This translation of the Summa (or Logica) of Lambert, commonly said to be from Auxerre, is a useful addition to current translations of medieval texts, in particular logical ones. Thomas S. Maloney, the translator, also has written extensive notes and a long introduction. The translation is reliable, with some caveats noted below. The book is very well produced, with a good bibliography." -Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"Thomas Maloney offers us a critical translation of a mid-thirteenth-century logic text, Logica, or Summa Lamberti, written by Lambert of Auxerre. The translation is replete with notes and includes an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources. Prominent histories of western philosophy make scant reference, if any, to Lambert of Auzerre and his Logica . . . so Maloney's fresh translation and critical introduction may be found relevant to subsequent research in the history of medieval philosophy of logic." -Comitatus

Book Information
ISBN 9780268035358
Author Lambert of Auxerre
Format Paperback
Page Count 494
Imprint University of Notre Dame Press
Publisher University of Notre Dame Press
Weight(grams) 719g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 28mm