The Via Negativa Flashcards
Define the Via Negativa
Talking about what God is not rather than what God is.
E.g. God is not human because He is simple so God cannot have a body/characteristics.
What does Basil the Great quote?
“Our intellect is weak but our tongue is even weaker” - trying to solve the problem of ineffability (can’t be put into words).
What is the consequence of humans talking positively about God?
We antropomorphise God bringing him down to human level through objectification (Moses Maimonides says this - we can only say God exists as a positive the rest we muct speak negatively about God).
Language when applied to God is equivocal (different interpretations/ambiguous). It is easy to say God is merciful and good but it’s harder to know what is actually meant by that. When applied to humans it would mean something different than when applied to God.
How does the Via Negativa prove understanding and identity about God?
God as the supremely perfect being means by using positive language to speak about God we are never doing Him justice.
God as transcendent means we are unable to speak positively about Him because He is not within our frame of reference.
What did Dionysius argue?
That ‘God is beyond assertion” (description) which makes positive statements about God meaningless. Developed from Plotinus.
Religious experience as more valuable.
However, at some point we must go beyond language, and come to know God through experience and union with him. By stressing direct acquaintance with God, the via negativa suggests that talk about God is only meaningful in terms of an encounter and relationship with God.
Dionysius uses the story of Moses.Moses received the 10 commandments but in order to do so he approached God through the cloud. But the closer Moses got to God it seems that he saw less. Like Moses he argues, the soul of the mystic enters the darkness of God where it remains speechless, united in passivity, with him who is completely unknowable. So Dionysius concludes that any statement you make about God will be equivocal and meaningless.
Strengths of the Via Negativa - It provides insight and understanding about God
“by denying all descriptions of God, you get insight into God rather than unbelief” - deepening belief in God rather than total loss. We can’t speak directly about God because we don’t have experience of Him.
Strengths of the Via Negativa - avoids anthropomorphism
Prevents humanising of God. It doesn’t limit God by giving a point of reference to something that is in the physical world. God as powerful = imagination of God as muscular but this would humanise God.
Strengths of the Via Negativa - highlights God’s majesty
Strong way of conveying God’s otherness and mystery of God which is viewed as more respectful. Maimonides said positive statements don’t fully convey God’s nature. The strength of speaking through the Via Negativa is that it highlights when we speak of God we find it difficult because God is a supremely perfect being.
Negatives of the Via Negativa - God cannot be reached by process of elimination
If we only speak of God negatively then it still offers no insight into God for those that have no experience or understanding. To say that white is the opposite to the colour black has no concept to the person that has never seen white. God cannot be reached by process of elimination, if He is outside our experience.
Negatives of the Via Negativa - define God into nothingness
Anthony Flew argues that if we try to explain God by what He is not (soundless, incorporeal), there is very little distinguish between our definition of God and our definition of nothingness; Flew suggests we argue God out of existence through a ‘thousand qualifications’.
Negatives of the Via Negativa - inconsistent with The Bible
Many Holy scriptures make positive statements about God. E.g. The Bible makes claims that God is a king, judge, father. It is believed Holy scriptures come from God which would suggest it is right t make positive statements about God.
