APOPHATIC Meaning and
Definition
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Apophatic is an adjective that originates from the Greek word "apophasis," which means "denial" or "negation." It is primarily used in theological and philosophical contexts to describe a mode of discourse that involves describing or defining something by stating what it is not, rather than what it is. Also known as the "via negativa" approach, apophatic thinking seeks to understand the nature of an entity or concept by negating or negating aspects that do not fully capture its essence.
In theological discourse, apophatic reasoning is often employed when attempting to understand the nature of God, who is believed to transcend human comprehension. Instead of defining God in positive terms, apophatic theologians emphasize what God is not, stating that divine attributes cannot be completely captured or understood through human language or concepts. For example, rather than claiming that God is all-powerful, apophatic theology may assert that God is beyond any human notion of power or that God's power cannot be comprehended by human minds.
In philosophy, apophatic thinking is also employed to discuss conceptual analysis and understanding. By focusing on what a concept or entity is not, philosophers attempt to articulate its limitations and boundaries. This negation-based approach aims to prevent the limitations of language and human perception from limiting our understanding of complex and abstract concepts.
Overall, the term apophatic describes a discourse that seeks to approach understanding through negation, emphasizing what a concept or entity is not rather than trying to fully capture or define all aspects of its being.
Common Misspellings for APOPHATIC
Etymology of APOPHATIC
The word "apophatic" is derived from the Greek term "apophasis" (ἀπόφασις), which means "a denial" or "a negation". It is formed from the prefix "apo-" meaning "away from" or "off", and "phasis" meaning "saying" or "expression". In philosophical and theological contexts, apophatic refers to a method or approach that emphasizes the inability of language and concepts to fully describe or grasp the nature of ultimate reality or the divine.
Similar spelling words for APOPHATIC
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