Transcendance et corps. Pour une théologie de l’en deçà
Francesco Tommasi
Diakrisis Yearbook of Theology and Philosophy May 24, 2018 DOI: 10.24193/diakrisis.2018.6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that finitude and immanence constitute the phenomenological meaning of the body and that consciousness, being embodied, is finite, so transcending the body is impossible. The author proposes that the only remaining question is how to live out finitude: toward consuming the other and prolonging one's own life and power, or toward letting others consume and survive oneself, since only others can transcend one's finitude. |
Abstract
An apparently paradoxical tendency in contemporary Philosophy of Religion consists in no longer seeking transcendence starting with invisible and immaterial elements, such as the soul, the spirit, or God known to reason. Instead a bridge between philosophy and theology has been singled out in the body. But how can one reach an idea of transcendence starting from the body? In these short reflections, I will try to show how finitude and immanence are the phenomenological meaning of the body. Consciousness itself is finite because it is embodied. So it is not possible to transcend the body. It is only possible to decide how to live out one's finitude: The body can be oriented to the consumption of the other, by periodic attempts to prolong one's own life and power. Or, on the contrary, it is possible to let the others eat and consume me. Only others, indeed, can survive me and transcend my finitude.