Forms of Transcendence: Heidegger and Medieval Mystical Theology (SUNY Series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy) - Softcover

Sikka, Sonya

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0791433463 ISBN 13: 9780791433461

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 1997

Synopsis

This book sets up a dialogue between Heidegger and four medieval authors: St. Bonaventure, Meister Eckhart, Johannes Tauler, and Jan van Ruusbroec. Through a close reading of medieval and Heideggerian texts, the book brings to light elements that present possibilities for a revised appropriation of some traditional metaphysical and theological ideas, arguing that, in spite of Heidegger's critique of "ontotheology," many aspects of his thought make a positive, and not exclusively critical, contribution.

Unlike some past studies of the relation between Heidegger and medieval mysticism, this book seeks to establish a real identity between the content, the subject-matter (Sache), of the medieval and Heideggerian texts that it examines. In so doing, it challenges Heidegger's own assertion that what he calls "being" cannot be called God. Against this assertion, Sikka argues that what is to be called God remains an open question, and points out metaphysical and theological elements in Heidegger's reflections on being that help to answer this question. Offering new insights into the relation between metaphysics, theology, and mysticism, the book contributes not only to Heidegger studies but to philosophical theology as well.

About this title

About the Author

Sonya Sikka is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Ottawa.

Edition details

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0791433463
• ISBN 13: 9780791433461
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 308