A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Content of the Dionysian Corpus (2022)

Riggs, T. (2022). Content of the Dionysian Corpus. In M. Edwards, D. Pallis, & G. Steiris (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Dionysius the Areopagite (pp. 33-47). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198810797.013.2

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Riggs, Timothy

Parent publication: The Oxford Handbook of Dionysius the Areopagite

Parent publication editors: Edwards, Mark; Pallis, Dimitrios; Steiris, Georgios

ISBN: 978-0-19-881079-7

Publication year: 2022

Pages range: 33-47

Number of pages in the book: 752

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Place of Publication: Oxford

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198810797.013.2

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Abstract

This essay examines the content of the Dionysian Corpus in order to demonstrate the unity of its two fundamental characters: Christian and Neoplatonic. The essay takes as its cornerstone the Neoplatonic, metaphysical cycle of causality, in its Proclean form, using it to show how Dionysius the Areopagite uses it to interpret the hierarchical vision of reality which he finds in Holy Scripture and in the organization of the Church. It shows that Dionysius is consistent in his description of Jesus Christ as the source and driver of this cycle and in his presentation of it throughout the treatises which comprise the corpus. In this way, it shows that Dionysius regards Neoplatonic philosophy, at least as much of it as he appropriates, can be put to use as the handmaiden of Christian revelation.

Keywords: Medieval philosophy; Early Middle Ages; theology; Christianity (religions); neoplatonism; metaphysics; causality; God's revelation

Free keywords: Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite; Christianity; Neoplatonism; Proclus; causality; hierarchy

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3