What is meant by via negativa in theological terms?

What is meant by via negativa in theological terms?

The Latin term, which means the “way of negation,” refers to the stream of Christian theology which emphasized the unknowability of God and the inability of positive theological attributes to define God.

What is Via Positiva and via negativa?

There are two methods by which change can be applied; an object can be transformed or a definition can be created. This is known as the Via Positiva (“positive way”) and the Via Negativa (“negative way”). Addition and subtraction are two paths to achieve improvement.

Who used the via negativa?

810–880), who made via negativa the basis of his theology, arguing that it was more effective than the affirmative path. Since Eriugena the term via negativa has been used by other theologians of mystical contemplation, particularly by Meister Eckhart (1260–1327) and Nicholas of Cusa (1401–1464).

What is the purpose of via negativa?

Via negativa is a Latin phrase used in Christian theology to explain a way of describing God by focusing on what he is not, rather than what he is; understanding Deity’s positive qualities is a task deemed impossible for the finite minds of humans.

Is the via negativa cognitive?

Apophatic way (via negativa): a way of speaking about God and using theological ideas using only terms that say what God is not. Cognitive: Statements about God that can be known to be either true or false. Non-cognitive: Statements about God that are not subject to truth or falsity.

What is Eminentiae?

(Lat., ‘the way of eminence’). The way in which one may arrive positively at the discernment that God is, and to some extent what God is; contrast via negativa. From: Via eminentiae in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions »

What is the Cataphatic way?

Cataphatic Way (Via Positiva) – Speaking about God using positive language. – Thinkers including Aquinas have argued that we cannot say anything positive and literally true of God as our use of language automatically limits him, placing his attributes only within our own experiences and understanding.

What is philosophical analogy?

An analogy is a comparison between two objects, or systems of objects, that highlights respects in which they are thought to be similar. Analogical reasoning is any type of thinking that relies upon an analogy. Analogical reasoning is fundamental to human thought and, arguably, to some nonhuman animals as well.

What is Metaphysics analogy?

The background to the discussion was given by what is often called the analogy of being or metaphysical analogy, the doctrine that reality is divided both horizontally into the very different realities of substances and accidents and vertically into the very different realities of God and creatures, and that these …

Is there such a thing as Via Negativa?

Via negativa is both a way to the knowledge of God and a way of union with him. God is known by via negativa when upon removal from the names, definitions, and statements used about God all that he is not. God cannot be named or defined.

Which is better, via negativa or via analogical?

Aquinas’ analogical approach to religious language is a much better approach to religious language than the Via Negativa because it enables believers to use and defend the meaning of positive claims about God, while not supporting naïve univocalism or a philosophically unsatisfying and ultimately limited concept of God.

Is the Via Negativa the best way to approach religious?

Certainly, the Via Negativa is a useful brake on naive literalism and a spiritual tool for individuals, but it cannot be described as the best approach to religious language in general. In conclusion, the Via Negativa is far from being the best approach to religious language, although it is still useful in some ways.

What does it mean to worship God via negativa?

Worship, expressed in prayers and hymns, reflects via negativa. God, who transcends reason and thought, is honored in silence as well. Negative theology conveys the purest form of devotion and the experience of God’s ineffable presence.