Christianity’s Content: (Neo)Platonism in the Middle Ages, Its Theoretical and Theological Appeal
Willemien Otten
The development of medieval Christian thought reveals from its inception in foundational authors like Augustine and Boethius an inherent engagement with Neoplatonism. To their influence that Pseudo-Dionysius was soon added, as the first speculative author, Carolingian thinker Johannes Scottus Eriugena (810–877 ce ), used all three seminal his magisterial demonstration workings procession return. Rather than a stable ongoing trajectory, however, (Neo)Platonism saw moments flourishing alternate philosophical stagnation. revival Timaeus Platonic cosmogony twelfth century marks achievement so-called Chartrian authors, even never acquired authority biblical book Genesis. Despite dominance scholastic Aristotelian discourse thirteenth century, continued to play enduring role. Franciscan Bonaventure follows Victorine tradition combining Augustinian Dionysian themes, but underlies pattern return — reflective arc creation salvation frames Thomas Aquinas. Echoing interrelation macro- microcosmos, major themes are, on one hand, cosmos and, other, soul self. Dominican friar Meister Eckhart beguine Marguerite Porete, finally, both Platonically inspired late-medieval keen accomplishing return, whether aim is bring out deep, abyss-like “ground” (Eckhart) or give up reason altogether surrender free state “living without why” (Marguerite), reveal intellectual audacity involved upending traditional theological modes discourse.
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