History of Philosophy VII, November 14th 2011

Nicholas of Cusa. We love him. (1401-1464) Born in Germany, his father was a boatman and a merchant. Entered the uni in Heidelberg when he was 15. Interested in two things: conciliarism [power and authority of the Church belongs to the Church itself – councils, not pope (later he changed his mind about that)] and nominalism [debate over “universals” – there are no universal ideals in this world, stuff only resembles one another]. Went to study to Italy, started to collect books, studies canon law, became a lawyer. Church sent him to Constantinople on a delegation and he FREAKED THE FUCK OUT [Cain’s words]. The journey back took him 2 months in winter and it was life-changing for him. After this, two things happened – he stopped believing in conciliarism [authority is with Pope!] and he had a vision, and the vision was how unity and difference can coexist as one in the world and in the soul of a man.

Wisdom for Cusa is knowing precisely that you don’t know anything.

[REASON – Greek wisdom, knowledge, Arche] >>/NATURE/>> [Socrates – wisdom as ignorance]

[REVELATION – building upon knowledge in the Bible] >>/GOD/>> [Cusa – wisdom as ignorance]

Cusa never closed his words with the final remark or statement, leaving the thought open.

[GOD IS WAITING FOR YOU TO HAVE YOURSELF, THEN YOU CAN HAVE HIM – self-possession]

BOOK ONE – Concept of the Absolute Maximum [God]

BOOK TWO – Contracted Maximum [The Universe]

BOOK THREE – 1 + 2 = Jesus

God is beyond positive or negative descriptions.

THEOLOGICAL ABSOLUTISM [If God says so, it’s no longer wrongdoing – if God tells you to kill someone, it’s OK, because God says so]