Koncepcja indywiduum w myśli Jana Szkota Eriugeny
Abstract
Agnieszka Kijewska
The Conception of the Individual in John Scottus Eriugena’s Thought
Abstract
Christophe Erismann classifies Eriugena’s thought within the comprehensive current of ontological realism, that is an ontology in which the problem of particularity and individuality stands out very prominently. The present article discusses the essential features of ontological realism as identified by Erismann and found in Eriugena and illustrates the discussion by ample quotes from the latter’s work. Considered are the following features: the naturalism and universalism entailed by ontological realism, as well as the thesis that the universal is the cause of all the divisions [into genera and species] contained therein, and its presence permeates all its subordinate forms. Another prominent feature of Eriugena’s version of realism is his assumption that individuality is a result of accidental factors. For Eriugena, the individuating principle in the actual reality is the form in the category of quality. This kind of individuation, however, only occurs at the level of the third nature, out of the four natures identified by Eriugena, that is the nature that is created and itself does not create, in other words, at the level of reality as circumscribed by time and space. Yet in the process of the universal return of all things to God (the reditus), when all accidental elements are reabsorbed within the primal unity, distinction between individual intellects is not bound to be abolished: the individuating moment will then be the unique character and form of the contemplation granted to each intellect.
Keywords: John Scottus Eriugena, individuation, ontological realism, accidental form, intellectus contemplatione specificatus.
The Conception of the Individual in John Scottus Eriugena’s Thought
Abstract
Christophe Erismann classifies Eriugena’s thought within the comprehensive current of ontological realism, that is an ontology in which the problem of particularity and individuality stands out very prominently. The present article discusses the essential features of ontological realism as identified by Erismann and found in Eriugena and illustrates the discussion by ample quotes from the latter’s work. Considered are the following features: the naturalism and universalism entailed by ontological realism, as well as the thesis that the universal is the cause of all the divisions [into genera and species] contained therein, and its presence permeates all its subordinate forms. Another prominent feature of Eriugena’s version of realism is his assumption that individuality is a result of accidental factors. For Eriugena, the individuating principle in the actual reality is the form in the category of quality. This kind of individuation, however, only occurs at the level of the third nature, out of the four natures identified by Eriugena, that is the nature that is created and itself does not create, in other words, at the level of reality as circumscribed by time and space. Yet in the process of the universal return of all things to God (the reditus), when all accidental elements are reabsorbed within the primal unity, distinction between individual intellects is not bound to be abolished: the individuating moment will then be the unique character and form of the contemplation granted to each intellect.
Keywords: John Scottus Eriugena, individuation, ontological realism, accidental form, intellectus contemplatione specificatus.
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