Forms of Transcendence: Heidegger and Medieval Mystical Theology (Contemporary Contin Philosophy)

About this book

Oriented toward the question of God this book sets up a dialogue between Heidegger and four medieval authors: St. Bonaventure Meister Eckhart Johannes Tauler and Jan van Ruusbroec. 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 Heideggers 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 Heideggers 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 Heideggers 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.