Unknowability and Incarnation: Creation and Christology as Philosophy of Science in the Work of Nicholas Cusanus

Abstract

Nicholas Cusanus contributed to the development of modern science through a philosophy of unknowability, according to which the fact that the world makes sense is interpreted as a gift from the Creator, and the fact that it makes sense for the human is seen as an implication of the human being created in God's image. As placed on the crossroads between the eternal and the finite, the human is thus confronted with the challenge of discerning the manifestations of the infinite in the finite. This challenge was realized by Christ, who is thus epistemologically relevant as a demonstration of the possibility of adequate human knowledge through the coincidence of the human difference from and union with God.

Evolusjonsbiologi som teologisk og filosofisk prosjekt

“…Karakteristisk for denne nyorienteringen er to prinsipper: All ikke-guddommelig virkelighet er homogen og dermed underlagt de samme naturlover, og disse kan utforskes ved hjelp av aktiv observasjon og eksperimentering. Begge disse prinsippene hevdes allerede i det 15. århundre av Nicholas Cusanus (1401-1464), og forstås av ham som konsekvenser av hans kristnede platonisme 23.…”