Ocena judaizmu w świetle Dialogus inter Philosophum, Iudaeum et Christianum Piotra Abelarda

Abstract

The contents of Dialogus do not give us grounds to speak of a ChristianJewish dialogue, but rather of a Jewish-philosophical one. It is possible only when we take two things into account. In the first place it is the form of the work that counts – a dialogue, which is a script of a fictional meeting, with Abelard himself taking part of a philosopher. Secondly, it must be noticed that this philosopher is a Christian. In this perspective a deconstruction of rational bases of the religion of Moses is equivalent to its defeat in confrontation with Christianity. Using the form of a dialogue suggests that all its participants have equal chances to win in the end – the point is to search who is in the right. It seems that it is not so in Abelard's work. For he chooses points and arguments of the Jews that are doomed to fail from the start. To support such a thesis we can mention the fact that in the whole conversation not even one thesis presented by a believer in Judaism remains unquestioned. The assumption of seeking the truth is fiction. The point is to show that there are no valuable elements in Judaism. The author lacks objectivity and honesty in the choice and assessment of presented opinions. In this respect Judaism is treated as a system of beliefs wrong from the start. This does not change the fact that the analysis of chosen threads was made with great precision and meticulousness, which testifies to the knowledge and skills of Master Peter. Before he began the dialogue, he had thoroughly studied Judaism, which allows him to move freely within the notions of this religion. He does not repeat accusations which are circulated in the Christian environment, but tries to assume a position of an adversary in order to ask questions, point out mistakes and imperfections within his understanding. In this context Abelard treats Judaism seriously and bases his critique on logical arguments.