1. “…By doubting, we come to inquire and by inquiry we arrive at Truth".

2. Pierre Abelard – “Sic et Non”

3. “…By doubting, we come to inquire and by inquiry we arrive at Truth". Pierre Abelard – “Sic et Non” “In this short, simple but profound sentence lies a complete description of Science.” Harry Kroto

4. …of course Doubt and Questioning are intrinsic threats to the power of those who depend on dogma for their authority

6. As the first thinker to put his own intellect above the traditional respect owed one's elders, Abelard constantly provoked the wrath of his masters and their other disciples.

7. Fox News

8. "By doubting, we come to inquire and by inquiry we arrive at truth".doubting Pierre Abelard – “Sic et Non”

9. Of course Doubt and Questioning are obviously a threat to the power base of those who depend on dogma for their authority

10. He was a man of spectacular gifts and intellectual talent but the fundamentalists of today despise his intellectualism, appeal to reason and philosophic attitude. Calvin would have had him burned at the stake in his day. fundamentalistsCalvin

11. The church has never understood Abelard to the fullest, or known what to do with him.

12. Should the church condemn his writings or revere him as a saint?

13. The church has never understood Abelard to the fullest, or known what to do with him. Should the church condemn his writings or revere him as a saint? He was a man of spectacular gifts and intellectual talent but the fundamentalists of today despise his intellectualism, appeal to reason and philosophic attitude. Calvin would have had him burned at the stake in his day. fundamentalistsCalvin

14. I began to frequent [Guillaume de Champeaux'] school, but I soon became very unwelcome, for I attempted to refute some of his theses, argued against him, and sometimes won. My successes provoked among the cleverest of my fellow pupils an indignation all the greater because I was the youngest and the most recently arrived.

15. It is from this moment that I date the beginning of my misfortunes [calamitatum], from which I still suffer today. My renown grew daily: envy flamed up against me.