The Metalogicon

The Metalogicon: A Twelfth-century Defense of the Verbal and Logical Arts of the Trivium / Translated by Daniel D. McGarry / 305-page paperback / 6" x 9" / ISBN 978-1-58988-058-0 / Publication Date: November 2009 Written in 1159 and addressed to Thomas Becket, John of Salisbury's The Metalogicon presents—and defends—a thorough study of the liberal arts of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. The very name "Metalogicon," a coinage by the author, brings together the Greek meta (on behalf of) and logicon (logic or logical studies). Thus, in naming his text, he also explained it. With this lucid treatise on education, John of Salisbury urges a thorough grounding in the arts of words (oral and written) and reasoning, as these topics are addressed in grammar and logic. The Metalogicon (Contents in brief) Prologue — Occasion, Purpose, and General Nature of the Work Book I — The Trivium and Grammar Book II — Logic Proper: General Observations Book III — Logic: Contents (Porphyry and Aristotle) Book I