Spekuliatyviné Mistika: Petras Damianas
Speculative Mysticism: Peter Damian

Summary/Abstract: The article considers the concept of speculative mysticism by Peter Damian, who was convinced that principles of dialectics are insufficient for religious truths demonstration, for divine transcendence is inaccessible to cognition, founded upon sense perceptions. He believed in mystic practice as a genuine possibility to communicate with God. Such communication transforms human intellect, senses, will, and gives him new knowledge. Damian tried to prove God’s omnipotence by means of ontological arguments of opposite modalities. According to him, sine God is the principle of every law, no external law binds him. His will is substantial to everything what legitimately exists in nature and society. Damian’s opinion concerning human nature, corrupted by the original sin, was pessimistic. Salvation is possible in subservience to God alone, especially by means of ascetic life in monastery, by means of theological studies in which philosophy is employed as a handmaid.

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