Page "Richard of Saint Victor" Paragraph 3

Benjamin Minor ( originally titled Book of the Twelve Patriarchs ) and Benjamin Major are Richard of Saint Victor's great works on contemplation.

It is not exactly known when these treatise were written, but both works would seem to date before 1162.

Richard specifies that Benjamin Minor is not a treatise on contemplation but rather prepares the mind for contemplation.

He uses the story of Jacob and his clan to create a treatise on the psychology of vices and virtues.

He uses the different elements of the tale to bring to light the relationship between the mind and the body, the senses and reason.

By doing this he wishes to establish within the younger members of his community a scheme to discern right and wrong actions through the powers of the mind.

It is almost as though Richard is teaching the basic principles of psychology combined with spiritual doctrine.

The whole purpose of this text is to prepare his students for contemplation and for a union with God.

Each chapter starts with a text which serves the idea of the writer and other texts are introduced to confirm his points.