NEOPLATONISM AND ENVIRONMENT: NATURE AS THEOPHANIA IN THE ERIUGENA’S NEOPLATONISM

Abstract

The conjecture about the relationship between man and nature goes beyond simple theoretical reflection. On the contrary, it is a theme intrinsically rooted in practice. After all, the world around us is not a mere abstraction, but an imperative reality of our existence. With this in mind, the objective of this text is to seek, based on the medieval neoplatonic philosophy of John Scotus Eriugena, ways to reflect on this relationship that allow us to conjecture about our current condition as humanity in the face of the environmental issues of our time. Demonstrating that, far from being an outdated thought, or stuck in its time, medieval philosophy, like all good philosophy, shows itself to be timeless and useful for reflecting on modern issues. Starting from this research premise, we will work on the concept of theophany presented by Eriugena in his philosophy, based on Periphyseon, establishing a sensible world that is not made as a simple copy or imperfect reflection of perfection, but as a manifestation of a divine principle that is established in creation. Thus, nature should not be thought of merely as a material value, but as a value of manifestation. It is not an object that is placed before us simply to be used and discarded, but to be appreciated, an appreciation that inspires reflection on the divine, on that which elevates us. Our objective here will therefore be to reflect on the importance of being inspired by a medieval philosophy that imposes itself on a relationship with nature that moves away from the view of the world as a simple object to be explored and begins to treat it from a new perspective that considers it as an object to be contemplated. That takes nature back from its sacralized character. In this way, we can question the predatory character of modern man towards nature from a medieval perspective that still holds much to clarify.