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Prolegomena to Philosophy and the Ascetic Ordering of Knowledge
Champion, Michael Wesley
Champion, Michael Wesley
Author
Abstract
This chapter compares the epistemological assumptions of late-antique Prolegomena to Philosophy with those of the Didaskaliai of Dorotheus of Gaza, a sixth-century ascetic teacher. It focuses on the epistemic role of godlikeness, the claim that the goal of philosophy, understood in terms of either Neoplatonism or the monastic life, is to become like God. In both Neoplatonism and in Dorotheus’ teaching, the concept of godlikeness orders knowledge and promotes ways of knowing developed in order to bridge the gap between the politico-ethical and the spiritual, the practical and the theoretical. Comparing Dorotheus’ teachings with the Introductions to Philosophy identifies substantial shared epistemic assumptions. A key difference between the schemes is generated by the epistemic role of humility in Dorotheus’ account.
Keywords
Dorotheus of Gaza, prolegomena to philosophy, ascetic education, godlikeness epistemology
Date
2023
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
The Intellectual World of Late Antique Christianity : Reshaping Classical Traditions
Volume
Issue
Page Range
569
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry
Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry
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Relation URI
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
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Controlled
Notes
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press & Assessment.