Moving beyond Theoria toward Theosis
The Telos of Plato's Cave and the Orthodox Icon
Seiten
2024
Lexington Books (Verlag)
978-1-6669-4955-1 (ISBN)
Lexington Books (Verlag)
978-1-6669-4955-1 (ISBN)
Moving Beyond Theoria Towards Theosis focuses on the telos of man as understood in Plato’s theoria, envisioned in the allegory of the cave, and early Christian reinterpretation of theoria as theosis. Central to this is the place of icons in the Orthodox Church.
Moving Beyond Theoria Towards Theosis focuses on the telos of man as understood in Plato’s theoria, envisioned in the allegory of the cave, and early Christian reinterpretation of theoria as theosis. In his famed allegory of the cave, Plato maintains that real life exists beyond our base perceptions of reality and is found in the realm of ideas. Theoria is eternal rest in this realm and is understood as the telos of mankind. Plato’s theoria underwent change as it was reinterpreted under middle-Platonic and neo-Platonic thought. These systems incorporated a more mature idea of the divine than Plato, but still minimized the material world. This book explores how early Christianity inherited Plato’s cosmology and terminology. Theoria was also reinterpreted within the Christian context. Eventually the term was abandoned for theosis. Theosis is beyond theoria, as it includes contemplation of the forms as well as union with the source of the forms and the affirmation of the material realm. In this volume, Justin A. Davis shows how the Orthodox use of icons can be key to understanding theosis. The icon is a material object that connects to a higher reality, and ultimately toward union with the divine. Plato’s cosmology is collapsed and transfigured in union with the uncreated energy of God. Icons are the depiction of spiritual ascesis and the new telos of man, theosis.
Moving Beyond Theoria Towards Theosis focuses on the telos of man as understood in Plato’s theoria, envisioned in the allegory of the cave, and early Christian reinterpretation of theoria as theosis. In his famed allegory of the cave, Plato maintains that real life exists beyond our base perceptions of reality and is found in the realm of ideas. Theoria is eternal rest in this realm and is understood as the telos of mankind. Plato’s theoria underwent change as it was reinterpreted under middle-Platonic and neo-Platonic thought. These systems incorporated a more mature idea of the divine than Plato, but still minimized the material world. This book explores how early Christianity inherited Plato’s cosmology and terminology. Theoria was also reinterpreted within the Christian context. Eventually the term was abandoned for theosis. Theosis is beyond theoria, as it includes contemplation of the forms as well as union with the source of the forms and the affirmation of the material realm. In this volume, Justin A. Davis shows how the Orthodox use of icons can be key to understanding theosis. The icon is a material object that connects to a higher reality, and ultimately toward union with the divine. Plato’s cosmology is collapsed and transfigured in union with the uncreated energy of God. Icons are the depiction of spiritual ascesis and the new telos of man, theosis.
Justin A. Davis is adjunct professor in the Philosophy Department at Boise State.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Platonic Universe and the Cave
Chapter 2: Receiving Plato: Christianity and Platonic Thought
Chapter 3: A Revelation in the Icon
Chapter 4: The Telos of an Icon
Chapter 5: Iconoclasm and the Iconodules
Chapter 6: A Western Interlude: Protestant Iconoclasm
Chapter 7: A Christian Return to Plato?
Chapter 8: Treatment of Selected Icons
Chapter 9: Icons and Community
Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendix I: Recommended Works
Appendix II: Further Reading
About the Author
| Erscheinungsdatum | 30.05.2024 |
|---|---|
| Zusatzinfo | 7 BW Illustrations |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 160 x 237 mm |
| Gewicht | 581 g |
| Themenwelt | Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Philosophie Altertum / Antike |
| Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Christentum | |
| ISBN-10 | 1-6669-4955-8 / 1666949558 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-6669-4955-1 / 9781666949551 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
| Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) | |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
Mehr entdecken
aus dem Bereich
aus dem Bereich
Anleitung zu einer Lektüre Mark Aurels
Buch | Hardcover (2025)
FinanzBuch Verlag
CHF 27,95
