The Philosophy of Dionysius the Areopagite: An Introduction to the Structure and the Content of the Treatise __On the Divine Names__

This book proposes a reading of Dionysius the Areopagite's longest and most important treatise 'On the Divine Names' from a philosophical point of view, rather than from a theological point of view which dominates the secondary literature. More in particular, it proposes an interpretation of the puzzling structure of the treatise which takes its starting point from earlier interpretations of medieval and modern scholars. The new reading of Dionysius' main text achieves more coherence than they did precisely because of the philosophical angle, which is meant to serve as a complement, not an alternative, to theological and historical interpretations. Thus the book can be read as an introduction to the philosophy of Dionyius as it shows how the author makes original moves in introducing the Christian concepts of peace and creation as philosophical concepts in a Platonic framework. About the Author Christian Schäfer, Dr. phil. (1995) and habilitation (2000), University of Regensburg, is Professor of Christian Philosophy at the University of Munich. He has published in the field of Presocratic and Platonic Philosophy including Unde Malum (Würzburg 2002) and Xenophanes of Kolophon (Stuttgart/Leipzig 1996). CONTENTS......Page 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 10 GLOSSARY......Page 12 FOREWORD --- by Paul Rorem......Page 14 PART I AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM......Page 18 §1. THE ‘CHURCHING’ OF PLATONISM AS A PHILOSOPHICAL CHALLENGE......Page 20 a. The Man and the Myth......Page 28 b. A Saint Turned Forger (and What to Do About It)......Page 31 §3. THE STATUS QUAESTIONIS......Page 40 a. Naming the Names......Page 41 b. Von Ivánka’s Analysis......Page 43 c. Aquinas’ Layout of DN......Page 45 e. Von Ivánka’s Interpretation — Merits and Problems......Page 48 f. Von Balthasar’s Interpretation. What It Tries to Accomplish and Where It is Found Wanting......Page 52 g. Abolishing Monopolies......Page 59 h. The Way of the Mystic......Page 61 i. Associative Composing......Page 68 PART II THE PHILOSOPHY OF DN......Page 70 §4. A SUMMARY ON THE PHILOSOPHICAL CONCERN OF DN......Page 72 §5. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF DN......Page 92 1. Chapters 1-3: The Theo-Methodological Basics......Page 93 2. Chapters 4-7: Levelled Extroversion......Page 97 a. Being, Life, Wisdom (chs. 5, 6, 7)......Page 101 b. A Summary on Procession and Differentiation......Page 105 3. Chapters 8-11: Dynamic Steadying......Page 106 a. A Question of Justice......Page 111 b. Opus iustitiae pax......Page 117 4. Chapters 12 and 13: e pluribus unum......Page 128 a. Subsumption......Page 133 b. Some Conclusions to Be Drawn from the Analysis......Page 137 §6. THE PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE......Page 140 PART III THE TOUCH-STONE OF DIONYSIAN ONTOLOGY......Page 148 §7. THE PROBLEM OF EVIL......Page 150 §8. WHAT EVILS ARE, AND WHENCE......Page 154 §9. AFTER ‘EVIL’: THE STRUCTURE OF DN REASSESSED......Page 172 CONCLUSION......Page 180 APPENDIX ONE DIAGRAMS......Page 192 APPENDIX TWO CONCORDANCE......Page 198 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 204 INDEX NOMINUM......Page 222 This Book Proposes A Reading Of Dionysius, The Areopagite's Longest And Most Important Treatise, On The Divine Names From A Philosophical Point Of View, Rather Than From A Theological Point Of View Which Dominates The Secondary Literature. More In Particular, It Proposes An Interpretation Of The Puzzling Structure Of The Treatise Which Takes Its Starting Point From Earlier Interpretations Of Medieval And Modern Scholars. The New Reading Of Dionysius' Main Text Achieves More Coherence Than They Did Precisely Because Of The Philosophical Angle, Which Is Meant To Serve As A Complement, Not An Alternative, To Theological And Historical Interpretations. Thus, The Book Can Be Read As An Introduction To The Philosophy Of Dionyius As It Shows How The Author Makes Original Moves In Introducing The Christian Concepts Of Peace And Creation As Philosophical Concepts In A Platonic Framework. Part I. An Introduction To The Problem -- Part Ii. The Philosophy Of Dn -- Part Iii. The Touch-stone Of Dionysian Ontology. By Christian Schäfer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [187]-204) And Indexes.