The commonly accepted statement (το ομολογουμενον) as a starting point for a theological discussion – Eunomius and Gregory of Nyssa

Abstract

During the debate between Eunomius and Gregory of Nyssa as a basic and irrefutable argument both parties to the conflict used the statement that the the­ses they promoted were commonly accepted. Both of them defined the commonly accepted statement with the Greek term tÕ ÐmologoÚmenon which in the philo­sophical tradition derived from Aristotle meant true and reliable premiss that led to absolute knowledge. In such a meaning that term – interchangeably with the expression koinaˆ oennoiai – was used not only in philosophy but also in rhetoric. The methods used by Eunomius and Gregory of Nyssa show that their dispute was not what we would today call a religious issue, but a truly scientific/philosophical debate conducted in accordance with the commonly accepted (nomen omen!) rules.

Keywords

• Gregory of Nyssa
• Eunomius
• Aristotle
• Chrysippus
• syllogism
• demonstration