Via Negativa

Question 1

Apophatic /
Via Negativa

Answer 1

From Greek ‘to deny’. The denial of a positive description of God. The ‘negative way’ - you can only say what God is NOT, rather than speaking in positive terms.

Question 2

Apophatic way summary

Answer 2

-We cannot speak positively about God - we can only speak negatively (say what God is NOT).

-God is beyond our comprehension and our human language.

-Trying to make positive statements (say things) about God risks anthropomorphism.

Question 3

Apophatic way quote

Answer 3

“God is beyond all meaning and intelligence, and he alone possesses immortality…no creature can comprehend” (John Scotus Eriugena)

Question 4

Apophatic Way - Dionysius

Answer 4

-5th century Pseudo-Dionysius believed that God was beyond assertion. Human senses and language are limited. To make positive statements about God would risk anthropomorphism. Only negative terms can be used to preserve the mystery and
‘otherness’ of God.

-Human language cannot do God justice. It is inadequate when it comes to omnipotent, transcendent
God. It cannot be used.

-The Apophatic Way is based on the belief that humans cannot know or comprehend
God. It is about avoiding misconceptions and anthropomorphism. We must enter the ‘Cloud of Unknowing’. Belief is about faith not empirical, observation-based descriptions. God is wholly other.

Question 5

Jewish philosopher Moses
Maimonides

Answer 5

-believed that the only positive statement that can be made about God is that He exists. All other descriptions must be negative so as to ensure that we are not being improper or disrespectful.

-Maimonides uses the example of a ship to illustrate that the apophatic way can lead us to SOME knowledge and understanding of God.
A ship is NOT…a mineral, a plant, a natural body etc.
We gain some knowledge of what a ship is by saying what it is not.