Via Negativa

Question 1

Define KATAPHATIC

Answer 1

• Western Thought
• Prayer conducted in verbally positive way
• Talk of glory of God and ask for positive action

Question 2

Define APOPHATIC

Answer 2

• Eastern thought
• Idea that God is beyond all description
• Prayer in silence where God is supposed to enter your presence

Question 3

Who are the main two scholars

Answer 3

PSEUDO-DIONYSIUS
and
MOSES MAIMONIDES

Question 4

What is the basic Via Negativa jist?

Answer 4

• Focus on what God is NOT
• God is ineffable
• Non-cognitive

Question 5

What did PSEUDO-DIONUSIUS say?

Answer 5

• God is ineffable and beyond assertion and denial
• Wanted to emphasis his transcendence
• God is personal going against all use of language
• He is nameless but names all
• We cannot possibly give true description of God rather we must let this knowledge come to us

Question 6

What does MOSES MAIMONDIES say?

Answer 6

• God is beyond any positive description
• We can only say what God is NOT to understand God and bring ourselves closer to him
• To give positive description is insulting to God and limiting to his being
• Gives ship example to demonstrate this knowledge

Question 7

POSITIVES

Answer 7

Prevents anthropomorphic issue of language in description which positive customs can fall victim to
Also supports the view that God is ineffable

Question 8

NEGATIVES

Answer 8

Gives very limited understanding of what God actually is
It is non-cognitive
MM achieves nothings. Negative description is still description so is limiting God.
Flew states that negative description gives no clear image of God.
Needs point of reference to what God actually is.