the idea of a highest divine principle — founding reason and spirituality. a necessary concept of a comparative philosophy最高神圣原则的概念,建立理性和灵性。.pdf

Religions 2012, 3, 1025– 1040; doi:10.3390/rel3041025 OPEN ACCESS religions ISSN 2077-1444 /journal/religions Article The Idea of a Highest Divine Principle—Founding Reason and Spirituality. A Necessary Concept of a Comparative Philosophy? Claudia Bickmann Philosophical Seminary of the University of Cologne, University of Cologne, Albertus Magnus Platz, D-50937 Cologne, Germany; E-Mail: Claudia.Bickmann@uni-koeln.de; Tel.: +49-221-2825188 Received: 2 September 2012; in revised form: 26 October 2012 / Accepted: 29 October 2012 / Published: 30 October 2012 Abstract: By reference to the Platonic, Aristotelian, and Neo-Platonic philosophical traditions (and then to German Idealism, including Husserl and Heidegger), I will indicate the way in which the concept of reason—on the one side—depends on the horizon of spirituality (by searching for the ultimate ground within us and the striving for the highest good); and inversely—how far the idea of the divine or our spiritual self may be deepened, understood and transmitted by reference to reason and rationality. But whereas philosophical analysis aims at the universal dimensions of spirituality or the divine (as in Platos idea of the highest good, the Aristotelian Absolute substance, the Oneness of the One (Plotinus and the Neo-Platonists) or the Hegelian Absolute spirit),—Comparative Theology may preserve the dimension of spirituality or divinity in its individuality and