Apophatic and Mystical Realism. Nicholas’ of Cusa Lesson

Authors

  • Piotr Sikora Jesuit University Ignatianum in Cracow

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15633/thr.2371

Keywords:

apophatic theology, religious discourse, apophatic realism, Nicolas of Cusa

Abstract

In my paper I consider the question, whether one can reconcile radical apophatic perspective with the realistic interpretation of religious discourse. Both are supported by very important religious intuitions, but seem to be mutually inconsistent. In order to show what form of “apophatic realism” is possible to hold, I analyze the thought of Nicolas of Cusa: fifteenth century mystic and philosopher, whose thought does justice to the deepest religious intuitions and can be inspiring, and – in its basic principles – also tenable, even in XXI century.

References

References

Nicholas of Cusa, De Docta Ignorantia, http://www.cusanus-portal.de; English translation: On learned ignorance, trans. J. Hopkins, http://jasper-hopkins.info/DI-I-12-2000.pdf

Nicholas of Cusa, Dialogus de Deo Abscondito, http://www.cusanus-portal.de; English translation: On the Hidden God, trans. J. Hopkins, http://jasper-hopkins.info/DeDeoAbscon12-2000.pdf

Nicholas of Cusa, Idiota de mente, http://www.cusanus-portal.de; English translation: On Wisdom and Knowledge, trans. J. Hopkins, http://jasper-hopkins.info/DeMente12-2000.pdf

Other works

Sells M., The Mystical Language of Unsaying, Chicago–London 1994.

Sikora P., Atheism, Agnosticism, and Apophatic Theism, Polish Journal of Philosophy 4 (2010) No. 1 (Spring 2010), p. 65–80.

Sikora P., Realizm i teologia, in: R. Woźniak (ed.), Metafizyka i teologia, Kraków 2008, p. 323–342.

Sikora P., Słowa i zbawienie. Dyskurs religijny w perspektywie Hilarego Putnama, Kraków 2004.

Sikora P., Wielość religii a debata: realizm/antyrealizm religijny, Diametros 29 (2011), p. 93–109.

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Published

2018-04-15

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Section

Articles