Memoria, eloquentia and sapientia in John of Salisbury’s Metalogicon

Abstract

John of Salisbury’s Metalogicon is a defence of logic and its role as an instrument for philosophy, as well as a commented reading of Aristotle’s Organon. It presents, therefore, a didactic effort, learnt from masters, to help readers to understand the realities perceived by the senses and to obtain true, intellectual and scientific knowledge. Thus, the influence of William of Conches and Hugh of Saint Victor is revealed: John of Salisbury intends, as do they, to provide a method which will lead to the acquisition of knowledge and wisdom. For this method, memory plays a vital role, acting as a bridge between sensus and ratio, from sensory perception to rational knowledge.

Keywords

• john of salisbury
• rhetoric
• memory
• knowledge