Reading the Visible Universe: The Meaning of a Metaphor in the Work of Hugh of Saint-Victor
2011; Librairie philosophique J. Vrin; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
2118-4445
Autores Tópico(s)Reformation and Early Modern Christianity
ResumoThe image of the book of the universe which is recurrent in writings from Augustine to Teresa of Lisieux, via Alan of Lille, Nicholas de Cues and Galileo, is given particular thematic prominence by Hugh of Saint-Victor († 1141) in a famous passage of his De tribus diebus. In order to better grasp the author’s understanding of the metaphor, the present article investigates the value he assigns to nature especially in the De tribus diebus, and the significance he confers to reading as per the Didascalicon. According to Hugh, reading the universe entails far more than merely looking at it: it implies connecting all creatures in the universe with an all structuring look, as well as moving up from appearance to significance. It also means at once gazing at and reaching for the visible beauty of nature and the invisible wisdom of its creator.
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