The Discernment of Visions according to Evagrius Ponticus
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Abstract
In this study we will analyse the meaning of visions according to Evagrius Ponticus, and how they can be discerned in order to determine whether they come from God or from the enemy. For that purpose, we Will start from a contextual key to Evagrius’ gnoseology; indeed, “visions” correspond to a certain way of knowing and understanding reality. We will then analyse the desire for the visio Dei; and then the other visions and their aetiology will be considered. A “therapeutic” will be proposed, considering that discernment opens up to a curative action. We will note how the author goes to the very root of the problem: the eagerness to see the divinity sensibly; other causes such as vainglory and presumption will also be described. The title of the present study allows us to point out the fundamental terms: “discernment” (διάκρισις) and visions, for which we find various technical concepts: ὅρασις, ὀπτασία, ὄψις, ὅραμα, ὅραμα, among others.
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