Description

• Title:
  On the Origins of the Very First Principle as Infinite: The Hierarchy of the Infinite in Damascius and Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
• Creator:
  Ottobrini, Tiziano F.
• Description:
  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.
• Object availability:
  free access
• Rights:
  Prawa autorskie (c) 2019 Peitho. Examina Antiqua
• Date:
  2019.11.29
• Type:
  info:eu-repo/semantics/article;
  info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion;
  Articles;
  Artykuł naukowy
• Language:
  English
• Source:
  Peitho. Examina Antiqua; Vol. 10 No. 1 (2019); 133-152;
  Peitho. Examina Antiqua; Tom 10 Nr 1 (2019); 133-152;
  2082-7539
• Format:
  application/pdf
• Publisher:
  Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan
• Relation: http://pressto.amu.edu.pl/index.php/peitho/article/view/20317/19856
• Subject:
  Damascius;
  Dionysius the Areopagite;
  infinite;
  One;
  principle;
  theology;
  metaphysics;
  apophatic;
  Melissus;
  Proclus
• Identifier: http://pressto.amu.edu.pl/index.php/peitho/article/view/20317
• Data provider:
  Platforma Otwartych Czasopism Naukowych UAM
• Can I use it?:
  seek permission
• Type:
  text