Chekrygin O., Nadeina D., Mezentsev I.V. —
The concept of God as a Contemplative: cosmological, anthropological, and ethical-soteriological aspects
// Philosophical Thought. – 2025. – ¹ 1.
– P. 67 - 93.
DOI: 10.25136/2409-8728.2025.1.73209
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/fr/article_73209.html
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Abstract: In this publication, the authors offer an experience in the theoretical construction of a cosmological concept based on the idea of God as a Contemplative. The specifics of this model are revealed in comparison with similar schemes from the history of philosophy. The author's approach is consistent with the principles of the New Testament revelation, as well as modern scientific data. The article shows a way to overcome the typical problems of classical cosmogonic concepts for European philosophy, starting from Antiquity. The article presents the problems of typical solutions to the cosmological question in European philosophy and offers the experience of a consistent model of the coexistence of God as the Absolute and the worlds generated by him, including material ones similar to the observable universe, based on the category of "contemplation". This category is briefly considered by the authors in a historical and theological context, then a general description of the new theological and cosmological model is given. The authors reveal the paradigmatic limitations of the philosophical understanding of God, focusing on the need to take into account the influence of natural philosophical beliefs of a particular era, which are reflected in religious doctrines (along with the personal experience of a particular thinker). In the second half of the article, specific conclusions from the proposed theological and philosophical concept are indicated: 1) cosmological conclusions (divine ideas and the way they are implemented in the world; the question of theodicy; understanding divine Providence); 2) anthropological (human phenomenon; changing approach to human rationality; characterization of God's will in relation to individual freedom); 3) ethical-soteriological (communion with God, divine revelation and salvation; comprehension of certain ethical categories within the framework of a new concept; ontological meaning of heaven and hell). The presented philosophical and religious concept of the "Contemplative God" represents a fundamentally new direction within the framework of religious and philosophical thought. This model is distinguished by its uniqueness and internal logical consistency, being free from the limitations and disadvantages inherent in previous philosophical systems. Its theoretical significance and originality can arouse wide interest in the scientific and philosophical community, opening up new perspectives for research in this field.
Chekrygin O., Nadeina D., Mezentsev I.V. —
The experience of the procedural interpretation of the absolute based on the teachings of Jesus
// Philosophical Thought. – 2024. – ¹ 12.
– P. 139 - 160.
DOI: 10.25136/2409-8728.2024.12.72508
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/fr/article_72508.html
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Abstract: This article is devoted to the consideration of the problems of conceptualizations of the Absolute that have developed in the history of European philosophy and the development of a new approach to understanding the cosmological issue based on the Teachings of Jesus.
The ancient origins of the classical developments of the question of the relation of the Absolute and the cosmos, the peculiarities of understanding the First Principle in medieval philosophy and Modern European thought are shown. Special attention is paid to the experience of dialectical conceptualization of the Absolute in connection with subsequent attempts to overcome it in deconstructivist and postmodern conceptualizations, as well as the experience of overcoming problematic aspects of the static interpretation of the Original in procedural theology.
The article shows that the history of classical philosophy left unsolvable the "aporia of transcendence" designated in Neoplatonism, not being able to positively philosophically explain the transition of the One to many, answering the question: how is something possible besides the Absolute, which is everything.
The vast majority of historical attempts to solve the stated problem represented a "swing" between personalistic and a-personalistic, theistic and pantheistic, static and procedural interpretations while maintaining the insolubility of the fundamental aporia by means of classical metaphysics.
This logically led to the "fatigue" of European thought from the standard conceptualizations used for centuries. The latest attempts to "circumvent" this problem of classical metaphysics, simply "avoiding" it or ignoring it, are also recognized by the authors as unsatisfactory.
The authors reveal the basic meaning of the concept of "absolute", formulate the fundamental cosmogonic and cosmological problems associated with it, anticipating the presentation with a historical and philosophical analysis. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the presentation of the author's version of the resolution of the "aporia of transcendence": The authors base it on epistemological grounds and an indication of the Teaching of Jesus as the main theological source of the proposed concept, in which the Super-Being acquires the mind, self-awareness and personality of God the Father, preached by Jesus through a double reflection of himself into himself from his own denial, non-existence. Generated in the "negation of the negation" of the Absolute, the Super-existent God, in turn, generates worlds as mirrors reflecting Him for Himself in the endless process of His self-knowledge in the Absolute. Ultimately, the article attempts to correlate the impersonal and personal discourses as applied to the Absolute, and to consistently derive much from the One without violating the fundamental principles inherent in the Original.