Early Christianity has many recognised masters of the spiritual life. The unit may draw on material from: Augustine, Gregory of Nyssa, Pseudo-Dionysius, Maximus the Confessor and others. Often, key practices, beliefs and conceptual structures that inform their thought and spiritual practice are deeply influenced by philosophical thinking. This unit investigates the philosophical, spiritual and psychological structures evident in the writings and practices of some key ascetic thinkers. It reflects on their thought in light of contemporary approaches to spirituality and philosophical reflection. These may include: mindfulness meditation, interreligious philosophies and philosophy of life. In doing so, the unit attempts to articulate the contribution made by early Christian thought to ascetic philosophy and practice today.
Unit Code: AP3164C
Points: 18.0
Unit Level: Undergraduate Level 3
Unit Discipline: Philosophy
Delivery Mode: Face to Face
Proposing College: Catholic Theological College
Show when this Unit is running| 1. | Assess the selected primary texts carefully in relation to their purpose and historical context |
| 2. | Explain how the early Christian thinkers understand the relationship between philosophical, theological and spiritual approaches to ascetic thought and practice |
| 3. | Narrate an overview of the various philosophical structures used by early Christian thinkers, and evaluate them |
| 4. | Illustrate the significance of the topics studied for related areas in philosophical and theological enquiry |
| 5. | Set out a sustained critique of a philosophical position |
30 points of philosophy at second level
Seminars
| Type | Description | Wordcount | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Option 1 Or Option 2 |
0 | 100.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity on 1 Nov, 2017
Unit Record last updated: 2019-02-01 16:07:12 +1100