Damian, Peter (1007–72)

Peter Damian is noted for his asceticism, contributions to church reform and literary style, the latter in writings that are primarily religious in character. Because of his hostility to the unbridled use of the disciplines of grammar and dialectic in religious matters, Damian is sometimes depicted as an opponent of philosophy. A more accurate assessment of his attitude is that the liberal arts, including philosophy, must remain subservient to religion. Damian’s major work De divina omnipotentia (On Divine Omnipotence) shows that he was willing and able to use philosophical argument in theology.