On the Actuality of Integrative Intellect-Mystical Asceticism as Self-Realization in View of Nicolaus de Cusa, Ibn Sīnā, and Others
Religions July 6, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3390/rel15070819 via OpenAlex
Summary
The paper argues for reviving a form of intellect-mystical asceticism that integrates systematic, transcultural philosophy with traditional sources, primarily Nicolaus de Cusa and Ibn Sīnā. It distinguishes this approach from mystification, science, and everyday cognition, and develops a modern concept of "knowing non-knowing" inspired by de Cusa. The goal is to foster reintegration of the human noosphere and technosphere for future planetary development. The argument maps developmental stages of this practice onto Ibn Sīnā's Remarks and Admonitions.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The paper develops a concept of intellect-mystical asceticism and a modern notion of "knowing non-knowing" to promote reintegration of human noosphere and technosphere. |
Abstract
I argue for a transformative revival or actualization of the very core of an integrative, methodologically secured form of intellect-mystical asceticism. This approach draws on traditional sources that are re-examined from a systematic—synthetic and transcultural—philosophical perspective and in light of the multi-civilizational global environment of the 21st century. The main traditional points of reference in this paper are provided by Nicolaus de Cusa and Ibn Sīnā, and I refer to a few others, such as Attar of Nishapur, in passing. I begin by developing a basic concept of intellect-mystical asceticism. It is distinguished from mystification, science, scientism, and modes of everyday communication and cognition. Then, I make the case for an updated, transcultural approach to intellect-mysticism that can foster the internal (social) and external (environmental) reintegration of the human noosphere and technosphere in future planetary development. In this context, a modern intellect-mystical philosophical notion of “knowing non-knowing” (wissendes Nichtwissen, docta ignorantia) is developed. It is inspired by Nicolaus de Cusa and contextualized from a systematic transcultural angle at the same time. Finally, I discuss the problem of the practical, or rather ascetic, realization of the related possibilities of intellect-mystical self-enfolding. Here, the preceding steps of the reflection are mapped onto an outline regarding distinct developmental stages of such a transformative intellect-mystical practice in Ibn Sīnā’s Remarks and Admonitions (al-Ishārāt wat-Tanbīhāt).