Fides quaerens intellectum is a Latin formula by Anselm of Canterbury: faith that seeks understanding. In three words it defines the program of all theology.
The translation
Fides is faith; quaerens, which seeks; intellectum, understanding. The faith that seeks understanding. Theology, in this definition, is not faith against reason, but faith putting reason to work, in search of understanding what it trusts.
Believing to start thinking
The formula inherits Augustine and his belief to understand. You don't believe to stop thinking; It is believed precisely to start thinking more deeply. Faith does not close the question, it opens the space in which the question can be asked until the end.
Anselm and the argument
Anselm applied this attitude to his most famous argument, the ontological argument of the Proslogion, where he defines God as that than which nothing greater can be thought. It was faith seeking understanding in practice: starting from what is believed and taking reason as far as it can go.
In-depth study
Church History Course, with Prof. Dr. Rodrigo Bitencourt
In-depth reading of the work of Daniel Rops, where the alliance between faith and reason and Augustine's conversion appear in full.
Discover the courseFrequently asked questions
What does fides quaerens intellectum mean?
It is a Latin expression that means faith that seeks understanding. It summarizes the program of theology: starting from faith and using reason to understand it.
Who formulated the expression?
Anselm of Canterbury, in the 11th century. It gives its name to an older intuition, already present in Saint Augustine.
What is the difference between credo and intelligam?
They are from the same family. Credo ut intelligam is Augustine's formula; fides quaerens intellectum is how Anselm named it.
Continue: Faith and reason: rivals, separate or allies? · Who was Anselm of Canterbury · Credo ut intelligam
Home class (Community NousCast): Fé e Razão (Fides et Ratio)