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Pseudo-Dionysius: The Mystical Theology · 11 of 11 · tr. C.E. Rolt

Chapter V-d

safeguards the position against pure negativity by explaining that they are not absent either. The rest of this chapter deals with the qualities (1) of inanimate matter; (2 ) of material life. 537 It is not (1) a Thinking Subject; nor (2) an Act or Faculty of Thought; nor (3) an Object of Thought. 538 Divine Names, II. 7. Godhead is regarded as the property of Deified men, and so belongs to relativity. 539 It knows only Itself, and there knows all things in their Super-Essence—sub specie aeternitatis. 540 Truth is an Object of Thought. Therefore, being beyond objectivity, the ultimate Reality is not Truth. But still less is It Error. 541 Cf. p. 199, n. 2. 542 It is (1) richer than all concrete forms of positive existence; (2) more simple than the barest abstraction. (Cf. p. 196, n. i.)
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Themes
Apophatic Theologytheology

Describing the divine only by negation—God transcends all positive categories and concepts; the via negativa.

The passage explicitly defines God by negation, stating He is not a Thinking Subject, Act of Thought, or Object of Thought.

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Body As Obstacleanthropology

The material body viewed as a prison, tomb, or source of error that hinders spiritual knowledge and return.

The text distinguishes divine reality from inanimate matter and material life, implying the former is deficient or obstructive to true knowledge.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

The passage contrasts the ultimate Reality with relativity and material existence, establishing an ontological opposition between the divine and the deficient world.

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Divine Hiddennesstheology

The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.

The ultimate Reality is described as beyond objectivity and relativity, indicating a radical concealment from ordinary perception.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

The passage emphasizes knowing only oneself in their Super-Essence rather than through external objects or thought.

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Monadcosmology

The absolutely simple, undivided first principle from which all multiplicity and existence flows.

The ultimate Reality is described as a singular, undivided source that transcends multiplicity and categories like Truth or Error.

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Mystical Unionsoteriology

The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity.

The text describes the ultimate Reality knowing all things in their Super-Essence through a direct, non-objective knowledge.

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Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

The passage uses contradictory statements such as God being richer than positive existence yet more simple than abstraction to describe the divine nature.

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Self Knowledgesoteriology

The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.

The text states that the ultimate Reality knows only itself and all things in their Super-Essence through this singular knowing.

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Unity Of Beingtheology

The doctrine that all existence is ultimately one substance or one divine reality; non-duality as a theological claim.

The passage suggests that knowing oneself reveals the knowledge of all things in their Super-Essence, implying an underlying ontological unity.

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Related passages · 10 parallels
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