WORK OF REASON IN THEOLOGY: ANALYSIS OF THE NOTION επίνοια IN EARLY CHRISTIAN AND LATER ANCIENT LITERATURE

Abstract

The author of the article submits a detailed philological, philosophical and theolo-gical analysis of the notion επίνοια (mental notion). The reason for eliciting a more pre-cise meaning appeared after close examination of the argument between Cappadociansand Eunomians about competence of human reason in cognition of God. Examinationof the subject involves a wide theological (from Origen to St. John of Damascus) and phi-losophical context (from early Stoics to Neoplatonic authors).The usage of this notionoccuring in the works of Symeon the New Theologian and in the arguments of Palamiteswho rely on tradition of usage of this notion finally found in St. John of Damascus hasnot been considered.