PHIL7224 · Philosophy

Medieval Christian Mystical Philosophy: Eriugena, Eckhart, Cusanus

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

In this course, I plan to read key texts in the Christian Neoplatonic mystical tradition, focusing in particular on Johannes Scottus Eriugena (c. 800-877), Meister Eckhart of Hochheim (1260-1328), and Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464). The class will begin with readings from St. Augustine and Dionysius the Areopagite, the two most influential figures for medieval Christian Platonism. We shall then read sections of Eriugena'sPeriphyseon andHomily on the Prologue to St. John's Gospel, selections from Eckhart's sermons and tracts, and parts of Nicholas of Cusas'sOn Learned Ignorance and De li non aliud (On God as Not Other). The course will consider the Neoplatonic context, affirmative and negative theology, and the nature of the human being in the context of the dialectics of knowledge and ignorance, immanence, and transcendence.