New Inspirations from the Ecological Stimulus of Hildegard von Bingen Cover Image

Aktuálne inšpirácie ekologickými podnetmi z myslenia Hildegardy z Bingenu
New Inspirations from the Ecological Stimulus of Hildegard von Bingen

Author(s): Peter Volek
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Philosophy, Theology and Religion
Published by: VERBUM - vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku
Keywords: Hildegard of Bingen; Viriditas; Ariditas; Harmony; Symphony; Virtues; Vices

Summary/Abstract: This article looks at the inspiration from the ideas of Hildegard of Bingen to change people’s behavior to solve the current ecological crisis. This topic is very actual, it was also addressed by Pope Francis in the encyclical Laudato Si’. Hildegard of Bingen based her works on the visions she had. According to her, the world was created in harmony and in the fullness of life, which manifested itself in nature as greenness (viriditas). It was violated by the first sin of Adam. Jesus’ redemptive work restored this harmony. Every person can restore harmony in nature by striving for a virtuous life, by sins and vices he moves away from it and thereby causes spiritual decline in the soul. It also contributes to the destruction of greenness in nature and the increase in dryness (ariditas). Hildegard of Bingen recommends abandoning extreme anthropocentrism in the relation to the nature and obedience to God. Compared to the encyclical of Pope Francis Laudato Si’, Hildegard considers the cause of dryness and ecological damage not only ecological sins, but all sins, because human actions affect all things all things that are interconnected.

  • Issue Year: XXI/2022
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 73-87
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Slovak