Tomas N Castro

PSEUDO-DIONYSIUS ON THE PROCESSES OF NEGATION

Introduction

Pseudo-dionysius on the processes of negation. Explore Pseudo-Dionysius's synthesis of Neoplatonism and Christian thought. This paper examines his processes of negation, God's ineffability, and how the transcendent One can be known and expressed.

Abstract

One of the most intriguing characters of Late Antiquity is the author who wrote under the pseudonym ‘Dionysius, the Areopagite’. Although the 19th century German scholarship challenged the authenticity of the Corpus Areopagiticum, interest in this singular synthesis of Greek Neoplatonist philosophy with Christian thought remains significant. Usually, the works of the corpus are organized according to their internal logic: departing from affirmations we find excellent negations, starting with the cataphatic method we prepare apophaticism. It is customary to point the dialectical structure of the areopagitica, for instance in comparison with authors such as Proclus. However, these kind of remarks undervalue the distinctive features of a profoundly ‘work in process’ speculation. This paper aims to describe the Dionysian system and its first principle’s absolute difference, a synonym of God’s ineffability and transcendence, in order to discuss how speech or thought of it still may subsist. Even if this One is ineffable and transcendent, it can nevertheless ‘be’, including to be ‘known’ and ‘said’, but differently from typical assertions of being, intelligence, and speech. This very otherness can be found translated through a positing beyond (ὑπέρ), a linguistic device which translates the author’s whole philosophical thesis on the processes of negation and their overcoming.

Review

This paper proposes an insightful re-evaluation of Pseudo-Dionysius's approach to negation, a central pillar of his theological and philosophical system. Focusing on the "processes of negation," the author aims to move beyond traditional interpretations that often simplify the intricate dynamics of the *Corpus Areopagiticum*. The enduring relevance of Pseudo-Dionysius, particularly his unique synthesis of Neoplatonism and Christian thought, makes this a timely and significant contribution to the scholarship on Late Antique philosophy and theology. The abstract clearly establishes a critical stance against customary readings that, while acknowledging dialectical structures, may overlook the profoundly dynamic nature of Dionysian speculation. The core strength of this proposed work lies in its stated intent to delve into the "work in process" dimension of Dionysian thought. By questioning the adequacy of standard categorizations such as the move from cataphatic to apophatic, the paper seeks to illuminate how the First Principle's absolute difference, synonymous with God's ineffability and transcendence, can still be engaged through speech and thought. The abstract highlights a promising avenue of inquiry: the identification of the linguistic device of "positing beyond" (ὑπέρ) as a crucial tool for understanding how Dionysius translates his philosophical thesis on the "overcoming" of negation. This approach promises to offer a nuanced understanding of how the ineffable can be both asserted and negated in a distinctively Dionysian manner, differentiating it from mere Proclean dialectics. Should the paper successfully articulate the nuances of the *hyper*-prefix as a "positing beyond" that transcends conventional negation, it would offer a valuable new lens for interpreting Pseudo-Dionysius's epistemology and theology. This research holds the potential to significantly enrich our understanding of how ancient thinkers grappled with the limits of language and concept when apprehending the divine, moving beyond a simple "either/or" framework. A thorough exploration of how this linguistic device functions across the *Corpus Areopagiticum* and its implications for the understanding of divine "being," "knowing," and "saying" differently would solidify its contribution. The paper promises a sophisticated engagement with a complex and influential figure, potentially opening new avenues for comparative studies on negative theology.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.