Pseudo-Dionysius and Gregory Palamas: The Byzantine Synthesis of Eastern Patristics (Philosophy and Cultural Studies Revisited / Historisch-genetische ... Philosophie und Kulturgeschichte Book 11)

"The study shows the reception of the views of Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagite by Gregory Palamas. The author presents the doctrinal context of Palamas' dispute with Barlaam from Calabria on the possibility of knowing God, the most important issue in 14th-century Byzantium. The author distances herself from many previous interpretations of this problem. She proves that, considering how much Palamas succumbed or did not succumb to the Areopagite or "corrected" his position, he has a very weak doctrinal basis. The author notices that over-emphasizing Dionysius' dependence on the Neoplatonic tradition does not lead to a solution to the problem. Palamas' teachings are placed in the context of the traditions of the Christian East and their relation to the thoughts of the Areopagite himself"-- Provided by publisher The book is a source comparative study of the views of Gregory Palamas and Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagite on man's ability to know God. The author distances herself from the opinions of other researchers who prove Pseudo-Dionysius' dependence on the Neoplatonic tradition. She asks about the place of Dionysian thought in the works of Palamas.