¿Creare est unire? Esbozo de la metafísica de la unión de Teilhard de Chardin

Teilhard de Chardin's metaphysics proposes that creation is a process of uniting matter and spirit. Matter, characterized by multiplicity and complexity, gives rise to spirit, which is unity and consciousness. Nothing exists except spirit in varying degrees of organization; matter without consciousness does not exist. Spirit emerges through successive syntheses governed by a law of central-complexity. Teilhard identifies three domains: the pre-living, the living, and the thinking (noosphere). His philosophy adopts a non-materialistic monism and a kind of panpsychism to avoid radical dualism, explaining spirit's emergence from matter's union. This framework integrates science and faith within a Christian worldview.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Creare est unire? An outline of Teilhard de Chardin's metaphysics of unionAs underlying leitmotiv throughout all his work, Teilhard de Chardin develops the relationship between spirit and matter. Matter (multiplicity) and spirit (unity) are related as follows: centricity (unity) depends on the complexity (multiplicity). Nothing in the universe exists but spirit in different states or degrees of organization or plurality for Teilhard. If it is defined as a thing without a trace of consciousness, matter does not exist. The Spirit comes innovatively by successive synthesis, by what he calls law of central-complexity. From the central-complexity, we present here how Teilhard identifies three areas in the universe: the pre-living, the living and thinking (noosphere); and yet, we expose how he bases its philosophy of creation in a non-materialistic monism and a kind of panpsychism, to avoid a radical dualism between spirit and matter, which enables him to explain in what sense the spirit emerges from the union of matter. Hence based on its spirituality, Teilhard wants to integrate Science and Faith for a Christian worldview.