Fleeing the Stadium: Recovering the Conceptual Unity of Evagrius’ Acedia
The definition of acedia presents unique conceptual problems among the eight Evagrian logismoi. Its descriptions are so complex and varied as to render the concept seemingly incoherent. This article argues that the conceptual unity of acedia has been obscured by the translation of Evagrian logismoi...
Published in: | Heythrop journal |
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Main Author: | |
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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Published: |
Wiley-Blackwell
[2021]
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In: |
Heythrop journal
Year: 2021, Volume: 62, Issue: 1, Pages: 7-20 |
IxTheo Classification: | CB Christian life; spirituality KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity KCA Monasticism; religious orders NBE Anthropology NBH Angelology; demonology ZD Psychology |
Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
Summary: | The definition of acedia presents unique conceptual problems among the eight Evagrian logismoi. Its descriptions are so complex and varied as to render the concept seemingly incoherent. This article argues that the conceptual unity of acedia has been obscured by the translation of Evagrian logismoi into the ‘deadly sins’ tradition, resulting in a category error. Acedia is more properly understood, not as a psychological state or a sin, but rather as an array of demonic temptations with the unifying end-goal of interrupting the anchoritic ideal of sustained contemplation. |
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ISSN: | 1468-2265 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Heythrop journal
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1111/heyj.13175 |