Netzwerk Phänomenologische Metaphysik

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Infinity–finitude

Peter Chong-Beng Gan

pp. 79-121

This chapter constructs a generic relational pattern pertinent to Christian mystics' orientation to the infinite. With the aid of set theory in mathematics, I attempt to integrate actual and potential infinities in God, which then leads me to conclude that God is predominantly potential infinity. Since the content of M is largely Christian mysticism, Underhill's discourse on infinity includes references to the trinitarian God of Christianity. Accordingly, a large section of this chapter is devoted to a discussion on the trinity and its relevance to the discourse on infinity. Deliberations within this section, which include a critical analysis of Hegel's dialectical trinity, lead to an understanding of God as economic trinity that includes–exceeds the universe and as possessing a part that is completely beyond the universe. In the remaining portion of the chapter, I focus on critically examining the objective reference issue of mystical experience and relationship and test the tenability of Walter Stace's "transsubjectivism" and Underhill's "objective idealism" in their epistemological and metaphysical capacities as applied to this particular issue. I then propose "tentative unitivism", a term I coin that denotes a synthesis of objectivism and subjectivism, as a means to address the objective reference issue.

Publication details

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-287-484-9_3

Full citation:

Chong-Beng Gan, P. (2015). Infinity–finitude, in Dialectics and the sublime in Underhill's mysticism, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 79-121.

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