The Philosophy and Relevance of Ancient Christian Asceticism (AP3164C)

Content

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.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

30 points of philosophy at second level

Pedagogy

Seminars

Indicative Bibliography

• Armstrong, A. H., ed. T*he Cambridge History of Later Greek and Early Medieval Philosophy*. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1970.
• Augustine. On the Free Choice of the Will, On Grace and Free Choice, and Other Writings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
• ———. The Confessions of St. Augustine. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2002.
• ———. The Trinity. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2012.
• Balthasar, Hans Urs von. Cosmic Liturgy: The Universe According to Maximus the Confessor, Translated by * Brian E. Daley. San Francisco: Ignatius 2003.
• Lossky, Vladimir. The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church. New York: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1976.
• Maximus the Confessor. Maximus Confessor: Selected Writings. Translated and notes by George C. Berthold. New York: Paulist Press, 1985.
• ———. On The Difficulties in the Church Fathers: The Ambigua. Vol. 1 & 2. Edited and translated by Nicholas Constas. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2014.
• Gregory of Nyssa. From Glory to Glory: Texts from Gregory of Nyssa's Mystical Writings. Selected and with an introduction by Jean Danielou. Translated and edited by Herbert Musurillo. London: John Murray, 1962.
• Pelikan, Jaroslav. Christianity and Classical Culture: The Metamorphosis of Natural Theology in the Christian Encounter with Hellenism, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1993.
• Pseudo-Dionysius, the Areopagite. The Complete Works. Translated by Colm Luibheid. Foreword, notes, and translation collaboration by Paul Rorem. Preface by Rene Rocques. Introductions by Jaroslav Pelikan, Jean Leclercq, and Karlfried Froehlich. New York: Paulist Press, 1987.

Assessment