Philosophy of Religion
Pieces of research work
Surpassing Human Nature: The Notion of Theōsis in Eriugena
Eriugena’s treatment of theōsis illustrates more than any other part of his system how he articulates Eastern and Western traditions. Moreover, his anthropology, that shapes the whole scheme of the Periphyseon, culminates in his elucidation of theōsis. In Eriugena, no concept can be analyzed as isolated from other notions, but they all are in a perpetual interplay that dynamizes his thought. Therefore, studying theōsis requires us to show to what extent this idea relates to Eriugena’s insights on ontology, epistemology, and cosmology. This threefold analysis reveals the centrality of theōsis in Eriugena’s system, although this preeminence is neglected in Eriugenian scholarship.
Pascal's Understanding of "Le moi"; From a Philosophical and Theological Point of View
This text aims to clarify the philosophical signification of the opaque concept of “le moi” created by Pascal in his chef-d’œuvre, the Pensées. Introduced with no definition, this concept has had a tremendous influence on the history of philosophy. However, along with the difficulties of translation, this legacy often leads to some misunderstandings of Pascal’s intention when he invents the locution “le moi”. At the crossroads of Cartesian thought and Augustinian doctrine, this specific notion turns out to be a key to apprehending the thought of this genuine polymath which Pascal was. Eventually, “le moi” constitutes an emblematic example of the risk of conceptual anachronism in the history of philosophy.
Key words: Pascal, self, moi, the Ego, Descartes, love, amour-propre.