HPhil Seminar: June 6, 2024

The HPhil (History of Philosophy) Research Group of the Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon announces the 2023/24 edition of its permanent seminar on the history of philosophy, devoted to the presentation of conferences by renowned specialists while also creating opportunities to emerging scholars, aiming to promote advanced studies in groundbreaking debates and the permanent training of its academic community.

In this session of the seminar, Max Rohstock (Heidelberg University) will present a paper, entitled “Nicholas’ of Cusa De non aliud– or: On Transcendentalism and Existential Philosophy”, (abstract below)

The session will take place on June 6, 2024 at 5 p.m., in the Room C201.J (Room Mattos Romão, Department of Philosophy). Admission is free.

Abstract

The philosophy of Nicholas of Cusa is often understood as theology. Of course, Nicholas had a special interest in concepts of God: throughout his life, he developed very unusual concepts of God, such as possest, non aliud, or posse ipsum. Nevertheless, it should be noted that Nicholas anticipated aspects of modern philosophy. In this lecture, I would like to explore two assumptions: First, I think that Nicholas’ philosophy is transcendental philosophy; for it is concerned to uncover the condition of the possibility of thinking. Secondly, it seems appropriate to understand Nicholas’ philosophy as Existential Philosophy; for the famous docta ignorantia (knowing not-knowing) is a central aim of human self-development.

At the center of my lecture is the concept of God as not-other (non aliud). On the one hand, it is a term for the aforementioned absolute condition, insofar as it refers to a principle that originally supports and guides all thought. On the other hand, not-other is Nicholas’ own version of Proclus’ unum in nobis. Unum in nobis and non aliud are negative concepts through which the emergence of docta ignorantia can be explained.