The Periphyseon, also known as the Division of Nature, is a philosophical and theological work written by John Scotus Eriugena in the 9th century. The work is divided into five books and explores the nature of the universe and the relationship between God and creation. The Periphyseon is a complex and challenging work, and Eriugena’s thought is heavily influenced by Neoplatonism, particularly the writings of Plotinus and Proclus.
Book One of the Periphyseon is devoted to the concept of God and creation. Eriugena begins by asserting that God is the source of all things and that the created universe is a reflection of the divine nature. He argues that God is both immanent and transcendent, existing both within and beyond the created universe. Eriugena also introduces the concept of the “primordial causes,” which are the divine ideas or archetypes that serve as the blueprint for the created universe.
In Book Two, Eriugena explores the concept of nature and its relationship to God. He argues that nature is not a separate entity from God, but rather an expression of God’s creative power. Eriugena distinguishes between two types of nature: the “primordial nature” or divine essence, and the “secondary nature” or the created universe. He also introduces the concept of “participation,” which refers to the way in which created beings participate in the divine nature.
Book Three is devoted to the concept of the human person. Eriugena argues that the human person is created in the image of God and is therefore capable of knowing and loving God. He also introduces the concept of the “fourfold division” of the human person, which includes the physical body, the soul, the rational mind, and the divine spark. Eriugena argues that the ultimate goal of human existence is to return to God and to achieve union with the divine nature.
Book Four explores the concept of knowledge and the relationship between language and reality. Eriugena argues that language is a symbolic representation of reality and that our understanding of reality is limited by our language. He also introduces the concept of the “dialectical method,” which involves the use of reason and argumentation to arrive at a deeper understanding of reality.
Finally, in Book Five, Eriugena explores the concept of the universe as a whole. He argues that the universe is a hierarchy of beings, with God at the top and created beings at the bottom. Eriugena also introduces the concept of “restitution,” which refers to the restoration of all things to their original state in God. He argues that the ultimate goal of the created universe is to return to God and to achieve union with the divine nature.
The Periphyseon is a complex and challenging work that has had a significant impact on Western philosophy and theology. Eriugena’s thought is heavily influenced by Neoplatonism, particularly the writings of Plotinus and Proclus, and he develops a unique synthesis of Christian theology and Neoplatonic philosophy. Eriugena’s emphasis on the relationship between God and creation and the concept of participation has been particularly influential in the development of Western theology.
Eriugena’s concept of the universe as a hierarchy of beings, with God at the top and created beings at the bottom, has also had a significant impact on Western thought. This hierarchical view of the universe was influential in the development of medieval cosmology and was later challenged by the scientific revolution.