The "Metalogicon" of John of Salisbury: manuscripts, editions, translations

An outstanding English diplomat, political thinker and philosopher John of Salisbury (1115/1120- 1180) was one of the most influential figures in the «Renaissance of the twelfth century». Born in Old Sarum (near Salisbury), he began his studies in 1136 at schools of Paris and Chartres with the great masters of the age - Peter Abelard, Adam of the Little Bridge, Robert Pullen, Robert of Melun, William of Conches and Gilbert of Poitiers. After that John of Salisbury became secretary and counselor to Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, and his successor, - Thomas Becket. Also John was an official representative of the archiepiscopal see at the papal and king Henry’s court, and then supported Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury, in his conflict with the king. In 1176 John - as an influential political figure and defender of church’s liberties - was elected bishop of Chartres, where he remained until his death in 1180. In the second half of the twelfth century John of Salisbury worked on two treatises - «Metalogicon» and «Policraticus of the frivolities of courtiers and the footprints of philosophers» («Policraticus sive de nugis curialium et vestigiis philosophorum») - which were completed in 1159 and dedicated to chancellor Thomas Becet (who became an archbishop in 1162). Both works reflected John of Salisbury’s philosophical and political views, and also introduced his reaction on the different intellectual, political and ecclesiastical problems of the twelfth century. «Policraticus» is a political treatise, defense of social liberties and laws, and «Metalogicon» (in later editions - «Metalogicus») is an apology of classical culture, language, philosophy and logic, defense of liberal arts («artes liberales») and Aristotelian tradition. Also «Metalogicon» contains very important for all European intellectual culture John’s reasonings and commentaries on the Aristotle’s «Organon». John of Salisbury’s «Metalogicon» has a rich manuscript tradition from the 12 th (London, British Library, Royal 13. D. IV) to 16 th centuries (according to A. Linder), which shows important role of this philosophical treatise in European intellectual culture. Author investigates and classifies all manuscripts, editions (including «editio princeps» and other editions of the 17 th - 19 th centuries) and translations (from Latin to English, French and Russian) of one of the most original treatise of the «Renaissance of the twelfth century».