God and Being

This Element examines how the Western philosophical-theological tradition between Plato and Aquinas understands the relation between God and being. It gives a historical survey of the two major positions in the period: (a) that the divine first principle is 'beyond being' (e.g. Plato, Plotinus, and Pseudo-Dionysius), and (b) that the first principle is 'being itself' (e.g. Augustine, Avicenna, and Aquinas). The Element argues that we can recognise in the two traditions, despite their apparent contradiction, complementary approaches to a shared project of inquiry into transcendence.

List of contents

Introduction; 1. The 'beyond being' tradition; 2. The 'being itself' tradition; 3. Reconciling the traditions?; 4. God and being today; Conclusion; References.

Product details

• Authors: Nathan Lyons, Nathan (Notre Dame University Lyons, Lyons Nathan
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.2024
• EAN: 9781009462518
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0946251-8
• No. of pages: 78
• Series: Elements in Religion and Monotheism
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; RELIGION / General, Religion: general, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Medieval Western philosophy, Nature and existence of God and of the Divine