Ikona odblaskiem neoplatońskiej metafizyki światła
Icon as reflection of the neoplatonic metaphysics of light

Author(s): Maria Magdalena Dylewska
Subject(s): Theoretical Linguistics, Semantics
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: icon; neoplatonism; Prelight; emanation
Summary/Abstract: The early phase of the iconoclastic dispute is characterized by St. John of Damascus defence of images. In the sphere of philosophical justifications, his apologetical treaties are based on Christian neoplatonism, mainly under the influence of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. The theory of image as referring to its prototype (pattern), revealing the reality of God and being the intermediary of God’s grace for the faithful, who contemplate the image, can be understood only in the context of a hierarchical vision of reality. According to this vision the lower beings are conditioned by the higher beings and at the same time are their images. The relation of the image and its prototype is a relation of the participation. At the basis of the hierarchy of beings understood in this way, Plotinus places the most highest being identified with the nature of light, emanating from itself successive lower stages as to some extent its own reflections.

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