Non-Ontological Constructs

Heretofore, Abaelard's theology has been examined in close connection with his studies on Aristotelian logic. It is here argued that Abaelard's criticism of Aristotle implies a logico-linguistic approach which is much closer to the Stoics. While definite traces of this non-ontological linguistic approach appear in the first theological work and its parallel texts in the "continuum, " his later theological writings, equally intent on avoiding talk of ontological substances, are closely related to Stoic notions which Abaelard had already worked through in his "Ethics."