Medieval Philosophy and Modern Times pp 1-16 | Cite as
Reflections on the Structural Sources of Bonaventure’s Itinerarium Mentis in Deum
Abstract
In his first sermon for Holy Saturday, St. Bonaventure records the diverse positions authors have proposed concerning the stages of contemplation. He tells us that St. Bernard describes the stages of contemplation in one way, that Richard of St. Victor portrays them in another way, and that Brother Giles, the third follower of St. Francis, offers a further alternative. Needless to say, all of them helpfully portray the stages of the soul’s journey as it searches for the peace for which our restless hearts yearn. Yet, we might ask: Do any of these positions provide the key to the basic structure of Bonaventure’s great work on contemplation, The Itinerarium or The Journey of the Mind to God 1?
Keywords
Human Reason Sixth Stage Simple Understanding Speculative Philosophy Medieval PhilosophyPreview
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