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Evagrius of Pontus on Λύπη : Distress and cognition between philosophy, medicine, and monasticism
Zecher, Jonathan
Zecher, Jonathan
Author
Abstract
This chapter explores Evagrius of Pontus’ contribution to a uniquely Christian construction of the human being as knowing subject and known object. Evagrius includes distress (λύπη) among the ‘Eight Evil Thoughts’. Evagrius, following Paul, distinguishes between ‘worldly’ or ‘demonic’ λύπη and godly λύπη. This chapter probes this distinction in context of ancient passion-lists, which create affective lexica and cultural scripts for the articulation and management of emotions. In them λύπη is a deleterious emotion and an impediment to proper cognition. Evagrius emulates these lists but modifies their logic: he replaces classical with biblical exemplars, and he inserts the Pauline distinction between godly and worldly λύπη. Evagrius thus differentiates between positive and negative emotion on the basis of cause or intentional object. This results in λύπη becoming a valid dimension of human knowing, while creating a new need for a hermeneutic of λύπη and organisation of human emotion and knowledge.
Keywords
history of emotion, distress, Evagrius of Pontus, passions, asceticism
Date
2023
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
The Intellectual World of Late Antique Christianity : Reshaping Classical Traditions
Volume
Issue
Page Range
530-547
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
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Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
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Notes
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023