On Some Traits in Theodore Metochites’ and Albert the Great’s Treatment of Nature (A Contribution to the Problem of Some Scholastic Elements in the Byzantine Thought)

Abstract

One of the most important notions in Theodore Metochites’ (1270-1332) anthropology was that of nature, whereas our author neglected the other, i. e., hypostatic level of reality. The article notes a similar usage of the concept of nature in Michael Psellos (ca. 1018-1095) and in Albert the Great (ca. 1200-1280) and poses the question of the Aristotelian origins of this ‘natural’ paradigm. Metochites’ Latinophile sympathies are connected by the reseacher with a general trend of the Metochites family during the 13th-15th centuries to promote the Union of the Churches. The article briefly analyzes such an activity of Demetrios Palaiologos Metochites (PLP 17981) on the eve of the Union of Florence.

Keywords

• theodore metochites
• michael psellos
• albert the great (albertus magnus)
• aristotle
• nature
• hypostasis
• scholasticism
• the union of the orthodox and catholic churches