The potencies of God(s) : Schelling's philosophy of mythology

Explores the metaphysical, epistemological, and hermeneutical theories of Schelling's final system concerning the nature and meaning of religious mythology.This book explores the metaphysical, epistemological, and hermeneutical theories of Schelling's final system concerning the nature and meaning of religious mythology. This perspective is not surprising since Schelling regarded religion (not science or philosophy) as embodying the most complete manifestation of truth.Beach examines Schelling's novel attempt to account for the changing historical forms of religion in terms of a complex theory of dynamic spiritual powers, or “potencies.” He shows that these are not mere representations, ideas, or projected feelings created by ancient myth-makers for the benefit of a credulous populace. Instead, Beach demonstrates that these potencies should be seen as animate powers inhabiting the unconscious strata of a people's collective mind.Edward Allen Beach is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Evansville, Indiana. This Book Explores The Metaphysical, Epistemological, And Hermeneutical Theories Of Schelling's Final System Concerning The Nature And Meaning Of Religious Mythology. This Perspective Is Not Surprising Since Schelling Regarded Religion (not Science Or Philosophy) As Embodying The Most Complete Manifestation Of Truth. Beach Examines Schelling's Novel Attempt For The Changing Historical Forms Of Religion In Terms Of A Complex Theory Of Dynamic Spiritual Powers, Or Potencies. He Shows That These Are Not Mere Representations, Ideas, Or Projected Feelings Created By Ancient Myth-makers For The Benefit Of A Credulous Populace. Instead, Beach Demonstrates That These Potencies Should Be Seen As Animate Powers Inhabiting The Unconscious Strata Of A People's Collective Mind. Introduction: Schelling's Religious Problematic. A Fresh Search For Hermeneutical Principles. Establishing The Integrity Of Religious Phenomena. Searching For An Adequate Definition Of Myth -- 1. The Origins Of Pagan Religions -- 2. Allegory, Symbol, Or Reality? Naturalistic And Euhemeristic Theories Of Religious Allegory. Schelling's Earlier Treatments Of Mythology. A Final Assault On Allegorical Interpretations -- 3. The Unconscious And The Irrational. Early Speculations About The Unconscious. From The Unconscious To The Irrational -- 4. Toward A New Ontology Of Eternity, Temporality, And Freedom. Dialectic: A Stable Law Of Change. A Groundless Activity In Eternity. Some Preliminary Questions And Criticisms -- 5. Three Formative Influences On Schelling: Bohme, Baader, And Hegel. Bohme: The Influx Of Mysticism. Baader: Through Dialectic And Mysticism Back To Christian Orthodoxy. Hegel: A Conceptual Mediation Of Time And Eternity --^ 6. Schelling's New Philosophical Point Of Departure. A Philosophical Dilemma. The Search For A Nonrationalistic Alternative To Relativism. The Search For A Nonrationalistic Alternative To Fideism. Initial Moves Toward Resolving The Dilemma. The Distinction Between The Was And The Dass -- 7. The Ontology. The Pure Potencies Prior To Their Actualization. The Inverted Potencies In Their State Of Tension. The Relation Of The Potencies To The Functions Of The Dass. Some Comments And Criticisms Concerning The Potenzenlehre -- 8. Positive Philosophy And The Experiential Proof Of God. Empirical Confirmation Versus Exemplification. A Logical Fallacy? The Significance Of Existential Instantiation -- 9. Representative Issues And Controversies In Current Schelling Scholarship: Habermas And Schulz. Habermas: A Historicist Interpretation. Schulz: A Quasi-rationalistic Interpretation. Concluding Comments --^ 10. From Uranus To Cronus. Preliminary Considerations Regarding Language, Mythological Consciousness, And The Names Of Ancient Deities. The Religion Of Relative Monotheism Zabism: The Worship Of Uranus The Rise Of Cronus -- 11. From Dionysus To Iakchos. The Significance Of Goddesses In Mythology. The Coming Of Dionysus. Divine Madness And The Strange Paradox Of The Dionysian Motif. Iakchos: The Archetype Of Spiritual Balance. Some Empirical Evidence, Ancient And Modern. Secrets Of The Uncanny Lurking Beneath The Surfaces Of Mythology -- 12. The Self-overcoming Of Mythology. The Origins Of Ontological Ambivalence In A Displacement Of The Potencies. The Progressive Discharging Of Religious Projections. The Eleusinian Mysteries. Toward A Sublimated Projection Theory Of Religions. Edward Allen Beach. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 293-302) And Index.