Anselmian Explorations

This collection of philosophical essays represents Thomas V. Morris's systematic engagement with classical theistic metaphysics through the lens of Anselmian perfect being theology. Morris develops and defends a philosophically rigorous account of divine attributes, demonstrating how the concept of God as the greatest conceivable being generates a coherent understanding of omnipotence, omniscience, divine simplicity, and necessary existence. The work exemplifies the revival of philosophical theology in late twentieth-century analytic philosophy, showing how medieval insights can be reformulated using contemporary logical tools.

Morris's central methodological commitment involves applying what he terms "perfect being theology" - the Anselmian principle that God possesses all perfections to the highest possible degree. This approach allows him to navigate traditional puzzles about divine attributes while maintaining philosophical precision. He addresses the apparent conflict between divine omnipotence and necessary moral perfection, arguing that properly understood, these attributes complement rather than contradict each other. His analysis of divine knowledge tackles the problem of human freedom and divine foreknowledge, proposing solutions that preserve both libertarian freedom and comprehensive divine cognition.

The essays engage critically with both historical and contemporary sources. Morris draws extensively from Anselm, Aquinas, and Scotus while responding to modern critics like J.L. Mackie and Anthony Kenny who argue that the traditional concept of God contains internal contradictions. Against these skeptical challenges, Morris maintains that apparent paradoxes dissolve when divine attributes are properly analyzed through the perfect being methodology. His treatment of the incarnation exemplifies this approach, showing how the doctrine can be defended against charges of logical incoherence.

Morris's work contributes significantly to the God debate by demonstrating that classical theism remains philosophically viable within contemporary analytical frameworks. Rather than abandoning traditional divine attributes in response to modern criticism, he shows how careful philosophical analysis can preserve orthodox theological commitments while meeting rigorous standards of logical consistency. The collection establishes perfect being theology as a research program capable of generating new insights into perennial theological questions. His influence extends beyond philosophical theology proper, shaping discussions in philosophy of religion about religious language, divine action, and the relationship between philosophical and revealed theology. The work stands as a major contribution to the late twentieth-century renaissance of philosophical theology within the analytic tradition.