The Limitations of Asceticism
Albrecht Diem
This article discusses the limitations and advantages of using âºasceticismâ¹ as a universal category hermeneutic tool in study late antique religious life comparative studies communities. It first explores roots history terms âºasceticismâ¹, âºAskeseâ¹ âºascÃ©tismeâ¹ arguing that they originate from early modern scholarly traditions rather than being based on language medieval Christian texts. A second part traces origins term askÄsis Greek monastic discourse, Vita Antonii, Historia Lausiaca, Theodoretâs religiosa Latin versions Pachomii case studies. I argue Athanasius Alexandriaâs decision to use key his program was motivated by limiting range appropriate practices praising what we might call radical asceticism. AskÄsis took its own attained various meanings texts but never found an equivalent language. The third describes diversification âºasceticâ¹ ideals number hagiographic normative question extent it makes sense consider emerging West (following rule, unconditional obedience, humility, enclosure, sexual abstinence, liturgical discipline, etc.) forms Western uncritically carries danger obfuscating nuances, diversity transformations (but also Greek) world Late Antiquity Middle Ages.
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