Episode 5: Epistemological Presuppositions, "St. Gregory Palamas: An Introduction."

Send us Fan MailSeries: Mystical TheologyUnit 14: Gregory PalamasEpisode 5: Epistemological PresuppositionsThe fifth episode in our series discusses the philosophical background to the debate between St. Gregory Palamas and Nicephorus Gregoras, which took place at the 1351 Council of Constantinople. Themes covered in this episode include the influence of Greek philosophy (particularly that of Plato and Aristotle) on the anti-Hesychasts of the 14th century, the relevance of the debate between Nominalists and Realists in the western Middle Ages, and the experiential, non-philosophical and non-dialectical "essence-energies" distinction in the ascetic tradition of the Orthodox Church.Q&As related to Episode 5 available in The Professor’s Blog.Recommended background reading: Christopher Veniamin, ed., Saint Gregory Palamas: The Homilies (Dalton PA: 2022).TIMESTAMPS00:00 Background to the debates01:24 Question of “Universals”02:16 Real subsistence of Divine Energies03:35 Realism and Nominalism04:24 Realism10:07 Greek Philosophy: Plato14:34 Aristotle 16:14 No essence without energy17:00 Porphyry and Boethius17:48 Porphyry’s 3 questions18:53 Boethius and “Universals”20:06 Three Schools in West: (1) Realist21:45 (2) Nominalist School 22:58 (3) Moderate-Realist School24:15 Nominalism of Gregoras27:36 Gregory of Nyssa 32:21 Cause and caused32:35 Philotheos Kokkinos33:28 “Theotes”35:36 The “twofoldness” of God36:22 Real knowledge of God37:36 “Energemata” - analogical assent38:59 Energies God HimselfIt is hoped that these presentations will help the enquirer discern the profound interrelationship between Orthodox theology and the Orthodox Christian life, and to identify the ascetic and pastoral significance of the Orthodox ethos contained therein. Join the Mount Thabor Academy Podcasts and help us to bring podcasts on Orthodox theology and the spiritual life to the wider community. Support the showIf you enjoy our podcast, consider supporting our The Mount Thabor Academy Patreon page, to unlock exclusive, member-only content.Print Books by MOUNT THABOR PUBLISHINGeBooks Amazon Kindle Contact us: [email protected]. Christopher Veniamin D.Phil. (Oxon.)