Labyrinthum capellae.Le "Annotationes in Marcianum" di Giovanni Scoto Eriugena e la fortuna del neoplatonismo cristiano
S. Rossini
The labyrinthum Capella quoted in the title (from a Prudentius of Troyes epistle)
represents allegory studium liberal arts and looking for
knowledge early middle age. This is capital problem early
Christianity and, general, for all western world, concerning the
relationship between faith science. I studied evolution this subject
from its birth to Carolingian age, focusing on most relevant figures, the
western Europe, such Saint Augustine (De doctrina christiana), Martianus
Capella Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii) Iohannes Scotus Eriugena
(Annotationes Marcianum). Clearly it emerges that there were two opposite
ways about relatioship. According first, human being capable of
get knowledge God thanks own reason logical thought
processes (by analysis nature as Speculum Dei); other way,
only grace could give man possibility perceive God,
and Bible only book men need know.
From late antiquity times, few christian pagan authors
fall into line with first position (the neoplatonic one): (first part
of his life, then he retracted some views), Martianus, Calcidius and
Macrobius. Other philosophers not bat believed power
of studium: Boethius, Cassiodorus, Isidorus Seville, Hrabanus Maurus
and Lupus Ferrieres.
In order get an idea conception, finally focused research on
Iohannes Eriugena's Annotationes Marcianum. commented
Eriugena's work phrase by trying catch sense words, the
reference, philosophical influences, trace antecedents clouts later
middle age Chartres school.
In scholastic text Eriugena comments Capella's poses again
the question students. was magister schola
Palatina during time Carl Bald, knew works, and
he Calcidius, Macrobius, Cassiodorus ones too. He
translated Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagite Maximus Confessor. He
had view Christianity tried harmonize impossibility
to know man's intellectual capability glimpse through the
study nature. point view, comment of
Martianus no more secondary work. It gets more
importance understand mystic, and
really grasp inner chief Periphyseon.