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XIV

MEISTER ECKHART

I, xliii by the same author as I, Ixxii. Sermon xlvi is found (sec Jostes, No. ;34) forming part of Pfeiffer’s Tractate iv. Of the other substitutes, I, ix is a typical Eckhart fragment from Hermann von Fritslar’s Das Jleiligenlehen (1349), a collection which must now be recognised as a source of Eckhart’s writings (see also II, viii). Lastly, I, x and xv (from Spamer’s Texie) appear to be compila- tions from Eckhart’s works. This applies also to Greith’s Second Book ^ from which I, Ixxxix is taken.

NOTE ON SCHOLASTICISM

The Scholastic movement originated in the schools founded by Charlemagne (742 -814). It aimed at reconciling the philosophies of Plato, Aristotle and the Neoplatonists - (Plotinus, Poq>hyry, Proclus) with the doctrines of Christianity. The first and greatest period of Scholasticism, which culminated with Aquinas (d. 1274) and his Summa Theologica began with Scotus Erigcna (d. cir, 877) who translated into Latin the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius (sixth century) and in reviving his system popularised also the philosophy of Aristotle as known chiclly in the Latin translations of his works and of Porphyiy’s which had been made by Boethius (d. 542). The tradition of Aristotle had also been handed down through the great Arabian Aristotelians represented later by Avicenna (d. 1037) and Avcrrocs (d. 1193) the Latin translations of whose commen- ‘tarics Aquinas appears to have used. Through the same Moliain- rnedan school came the so-called Theology of Aristotle^ really the Enneads (iv- vi) of Plotinus. Finally, Proclus exerted a profound influence on the Scholastic philosophy not only through the medium of Dionysius’ writings but also directly through his own, for it was his Elements which, emanating from the Arabians under the name of the Liber de Cmisisy famous in the middle ages, was a favourite text-book in their schools.^

' Greith aitributea to »Suso, by a process of exclusion, the untitled work which forms his .SVeond Book. (See Die dculsche Mystiky pp. 81 and 96.) The original of this is an early h f teen th -century MS. of 342 small 4to pages from a Dominican Convent at St Gall, and roferonco to the various Eckhart collections shows it to be a Teaching System mainly, if not wholly, com- piled from his writings.

* Eckhart a New Philosophers’ ? The Philosopher is Aristotle. Aquinas IS called J ho I )octor,’ and * a heathen doctor is often, but by no means always, Averroes.

« Soo History of the Later Boman A’mptVe, J. B. Bury; Macmillan, 1923. Amcenne Carra de Vaux ; Paris, 1900. The Metaphysical Elements of Proclusy rhos. M. Johnson; Missouri, U.S.A., 1909

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