From Dionysius to al-Ġazālī

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 189-236
Author(s):  
Alexander Treiger
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Ninth Century ◽  
First Principle ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Dionysius The Areopagite ◽  
John Of Damascus ◽  
Philosophical Texts ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The present article reports the discovery of a previously unknown ninth-century Arabic paraphrase of Dionysius the Areopagite and demonstrates that this paraphrase was accessible to al-Ġazālī (and, probably, to other authors, notably the Brethren of Purity). It also proves that this paraphrase was produced by the same translator as the Doxography of Pseudo-Ammonius. The doctrinal content of the Arabic Dionysian paraphrase is then analyzed in relation to Arabic Neoplatonic texts as well as al-Ġazālī’s writings. The influence of Gregory of Nyssa and John of Damascus on some Arabic philosophical texts (notably al-Kindī’s Book of Definitions) is also considered. The origin of “Interpositional Neoplatonism” (i.e., the kind of Neoplatonism that interposes an intermediate hypostasis between the First Principle and the Intellect) is examined. The Appendix discusses the relationship between the Doxography of Pseudo-Ammonius and Hippolytus of Rome’s Refutatio omnium haeresium.

scholarly journals On the Origins of the Very First Principle as Infinite: The Hierarchy of the Infinite in Damascius and Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-152
Author(s):  
Tiziano F. Ottobrini
Keyword(s):  
First Principle ◽  
Negative Theology ◽  
Theoretical Relationship ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Dionysius The Areopagite ◽  
Greek Thought ◽  
The One ◽  
Pseudo Dionysius

This paper discusses the theoretical relationship between the views of Damascius and those of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. While Damascius’ De principiis is a bold treatise devoted to investigating the hypermetaphysics of apophatism, it anticipates various theoretical positions put forward by Dionysius the Areopagite. The present paper focuses on the following. First, Damascius is the only ancient philoso­pher who systematically demonstrates the first principle to be infinite (traditional Greek thought tended to regard the arkhē as finite). Second, Damascius modifies the concept and in several important passages shows the infinite to be superior and prior to the finite (previously this assumption was held only by Melissus and, sporadically, by Gregory of Nyssa and Plotinus). Third, Damascius’ theory of being (infinite, endless and ultrarational) is the strongest ancient articulation of the nature of the One which is a clear prefiguration of the negative theology developed by Dionysius the Areopagite.

Three Ways to Imitate Paul in Late Antiquity: Ekstasis, Ekphrasis, Epektasis

2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-117
Author(s):  
Michael Motia
Keyword(s):  
Late Antiquity ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
Dionysius The Areopagite ◽  
John Chrysostom ◽  
Heaven And Earth ◽  
Pseudo Dionysius ◽  
Scholarly Attention

AbstractRobert Orsi’s argument that religion, more than a system of “meaning making,” is a “network of relationships between heaven and earth” helps us understand what is at stake in imitation for early Christians. The question for Orsi is not, “What does it mean to imitate Paul?” as much as it is, “In what kind of relationship is one engaged when one imitates Paul?” Christians argue over both what to imitate (Who is Paul?) and how to imitate (How should Christians relate to Paul in order to be like him or to render him present?). The what has received lots of scholarly attention; this paper focuses on the how. I compare the range of possibilities of how to imitate Paul by focusing on three influential accounts of mimesis: Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (ekstasis), John Chrysostom (ekphrasis), and Gregory of Nyssa (epektasis).

Een beetje onsterfelijk

Lampas ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-452
Author(s):  
Gerard Boter
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
The Other ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Immortality Of The Soul

Summary The present article discusses three hotly debated interpretational issues in Diotima´s speech in Plato´s Symposium. The first of these is the relationship of Diotima´s speech to other dialogues, such as the Phaedo and the Republic, with regard to the immortality of the soul. It is argued that there is no discrepancy at all, because the immortality of the soul does not play any role in the Symposium. The second issue is the nature of the three classes of posterity: biological, spiritual and philosophical. Whereas the posterity of the first two classes can be relatively easily defined, the character of the philosopher´s posterity, ‘true virtue’, remains rather vague. It may consist in dialectical teaching of the Idea of Beauty by Socrates. Thirdly, it is argued that the philosopher´s immortality differs only gradually from the immortality of the other two classes, that is, the philosopher as a man only survives by means of his posterity.

scholarly journals The Nature of Theology and the Extent of the Atonement

Perichoresis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-18
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Fourth Century ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
2 Corinthians ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
Scriptural Exegesis ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
English Baptist ◽  
The Trinity

Abstract This article considers the post-Reformation debates over the extent of the Atonement. It traces the origins of these debates from the articles of the Arminian Remonstrance of 1610 through the declarations of the supporters of the Synod of Dort in 1618-19. The debate is then considered in relation to an English Baptist context, and specifically the exegetical dispute over the meaning of the word ‘all’ in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and Romans 3:23-4. Three options are examined and the various difficulties in arbitrating between these various interpretations. Recognising these difficulties, the article goes on to explore the relationship between scriptural exegesis and theology with reference to the formulation of the ecumenical doctrine of the Trinity in the fourth century. It argues that while theology should always attempt to be consistent with the exegetical data on occasion it proves inconclusive, as in the case of the debate over the extent of the atonement. In such cases the role of theology becomes one of mediation as it seeks a way of reading the texts of Scripture that allows them to be heard without contradicting each other. Again, this is illustrated from the fourth century and the Christology of Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nyssa. Returning to the question of atonement with this understanding of the task of theology the article seeks to propose a way to reconcile the biblical texts which speak of the atonement as both universal and limited.

scholarly journals Lo smarrimento come inizio in alcuni testi di Giuseppe Culicchia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 81-93
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Puto
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Cultural Anthropology ◽  
Human Mind ◽  
Space And Place ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Getting Lost ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City ◽  
Dimensions Of Space

The aim of the present article is to analyze the relationship between the city and the protagonists of Giuseppe Culicchia’s texts. The methodological perspective is that of cultural anthropology, in particular the concept of mente locale, discussed by Franco La Cecla. Mente locale, as a relationship between space and human mind, is vital in the act of getting lost in space (perdersi), which leads to getting to know it (orientarsi) and finally initiating the profound relationship based on emotivity. Culicchia’s texts are set in Turin, and the study points out the different ways of perception of the city. The analyzed texts represents the gradual acquisition of knowledge about the city that corresponds to the theoretical thesis that is how the anthropology of space and place illustrates the conceptual and material dimensions of space which is central to the production of social life, bringing classics of cultural anthropology together with new theoretical approaches.

scholarly journals Sobre o protagonismo laical do catolicismo popular: pistas para reflexão

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (311) ◽  
pp. 679
Author(s):  
José Reinaldo Felipe Martins Filho
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Subject Matter ◽  
Great Amplitude ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Popular Catholicism ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Heaven And Earth

Este artigo tenta suscitar algumas pistas de reflexão sobre o protagonismo laical presente no catolicismo popular brasileiro, tendo como mote superar uma leitura meramente dicotômica e de oposição entre as esferas do oficial e do popular. Vale-se, para isso, de conceitos já consolidados pelas pesquisas em Teologia e Ciências da Religião, bem como de suas interfaces com a Antropologia, a Filosofia e a Sociologia. Entre as principais características do catolicismo popular que apontam para o protagonismo dos leigos estão a dimensão comunitária, a capacidade de ressignificação espaçotemporal e identitária e a ausência de intermediadores na relação entre céu e terra, como é o caso dos santos. Trata-se de um vasto e rico horizonte a ser explorado, cuja contribuição também alcança nossas atuais discussões sobre a identidade dos cristãos leigos. Abstract: The present article is an attempt to rise some reflecting clues on the lay protagonism presents in the Brazilian popular Catholicism, aiming at overcoming a merely dichotomous reading and opposition between official and popular spheres.  In this way, it is worth to recur to concepts already established by researches in Theology, Religion Science, as well as their interfaces with Antropology, Philosophy and Sociology. Among the main characteristics of popular Catholicism that point out in the direction of the lay Christian  are communitarian dimention, capacity of  identity espacio-temporal resignification and the absence of mediators such as saints, in the relationship between  Heaven and Earth. The subject matter, whose contribution meets our current discussions  about identity and lay Christians, is of great amplitude and still needs to be explored in depth.Keywords: Lay protagonism; Popular Catholicism; Identity.

scholarly journals On order and prohibition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniël Van Olmen
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
First Principle ◽  
Linguistic Evidence ◽  
Constituent Order

Abstract The present article examines the claim in the literature that the negative first principle, i.e. the preference for the order negation-verb to verb-negation, is stronger in negative imperatives (or prohibitives) than in negative declaratives. To test this hypothesis, we develop – in contrast to earlier research – a systematic, three-way classification of languages, which is also operationalized as a ranking capturing the overall level of strength of the principle. This classification is applied to a genealogically and geographically balanced sample of 179 languages. In addition, we consider the role of several factors known to correlate with the position of negation – like its form, constituent order and areality. However, no cross-linguistic evidence is found for any difference in negation’s position between negative imperatives and negative declaratives. We therefore conclude that the hypothesis should be rejected.

scholarly journals INTERPRETATION OF OMITTED WORDS OR THE UNSAID INFORMATION IN EMILY DICKINSON’S POETRY

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2 (24)) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Marina Yaghubyan
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Unique Feature ◽  
Sudden Change ◽  
Emily Dickinson ◽  
Abstract Concepts ◽  
Material Things ◽  
The Relationship

The use of omissions by Emily Dickinson is one of the major characteristics of her poetry. She tried to reach maximum ellipsis and achieve the tightest structural compression. The unique feature in her use of omission is that most of the unsaid information in her poems is portrayed with the help of dashes. They indicate a missing word, phrase, emphasize a break, or they depict a sudden change in thought. Throughout the author's writing, the imagery and metaphors are drawn from her observations of nature and imagination. Emily’s use of specific words resulted in one - inability of comprehending her poetry with just one reading. The present article focuses on the examination of the omitted words in Emily Dickinson’s poetry. The analysis shows that she refined and removed inessential language and punctuation from her poetry. In many of her poems, abstract concepts and material things are used to describe one another, but the relationship between them remains elusive and uncertain.

A Social Learning Perspective on the Trickle-Down of Psychological Empowerment from Supervisor to Subordinate

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Lisa S. Grützmacher ◽  
Carsten C. Schermuly
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Learning Theory ◽  
Social Learning Theory ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Trickle Down

Abstract. Because of its relevance for organizations and their employees, psychological empowerment (PE) has received a great deal of attention in research and practice. Supervisors play an important role in the promotion of subordinates’ PE. In the present article, and on the basis of social learning theory, we examine how the supervisor’s perceived and self-reported PE influence the subordinate’s PE. The results of two multi-wave studies involving more than 1,000 participants suggest that the supervisor’s perceived PE can predict the subordinate’s PE. The supervisor’s self-reported PE did not affect the subordinate’s PE: PE does not seem to trickle down from supervisor to subordinate. The relationship between the supervisor’s perceived PE and the subordinate’s PE was stronger when trust in the supervisor was higher. Supervisors who want to promote subordinates’ PE through modeling should therefore ensure that they are perceived as psychologically empowered and invest in relationships of trust with their subordinates.

‘Till the whisper…You know…When you can't hear the words’: Narrated Memory and the ‘Fragmented’ Body in Samuel Beckett's Late Drama

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-155
Author(s):  
Michelle Charalambous
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
The Body ◽  
Narrative Form ◽  
Close Reading ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Late Works

Samuel Beckett's interest in the experience of memory and the central role the body plays in the re-experience of the past has been most evident since the time he composed Krapp's Last Tape (1958), one of his most famous memory plays where the body can actually ‘touch’ its voice of memory. In this context, the present article provides a close reading of two of Beckett's late works for the theatre, namely That Time (1976) and Ohio Impromptu (1981), where the author once again addresses the relationship between the body and memory. Unlike his earlier drama, however, in That Time and Ohio Impromptu Beckett creates a ‘distance’, as it were, between memory and the body on stage by presenting the former as a narrative and by reducing the latter to an isolated part or by restricting it to limited movements. Looking closely at this ‘distance’ in these late plays, the article underlines that the body does not lose its authority or remains passive in its re-experience of the past. Rather – the article argues – the body essentially plays a determining role in these stripped-down forms as is shown in its ability to ‘interrupt’ and somatically punctuate the fixity of the narrative form memory takes in these works.

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