The Prolegomena of Agapology -- an Emergent World Journal

Upon What is Agaposofia Based? Definition: Agaposofia is grounded in a framework known as Agapic Ontological Personalism . This philosophy integrates the relational emphasis of Agapic Personalism with the metaphysical depth of Agapic Ontology, forming a unified vision of the person as both a relational being and a metaphysical reality rooted in love. It posits that the essence of human existence (ontology) is intrinsically tied to agape (selfless love) and that ultimate fulfillment is found in relational communion with God and others. Key Features of Agapic Ontological Personalism 1. Ontological Grounding of the Person Every person is a unique hypostasis , whose being is sustained and given purpose by divine love (agape). The person’s ontological structure is inherently relational, oriented toward communion with others and God, rather than being self-contained or autonomous. 2. Relational Nature of Existence The person exists as a being-in-relationship , with love as both the f...

  Upward Emergence & Downward Immanence: Synergistic Growth in Agaposofia Introduction John Vervaeke’s concepts of upward emergence and downward immanence offer profound insights into human development and the nature of consciousness. In the philosophy of Agaposofia , these ideas are reinterpreted to reflect not only the progression from complexity to simplicity but also the dynamic synergistic relationship between humanity and the divine. Upward emergence signifies the journey from psychological complexity (rooted in early life experiences such as care and infancy) toward a greater simplicity and fuller consciousness . This ascent is supported by downward immanence , which represents the already-present divine grounding that sustains and guides this movement. Both processes are inherently interconnected, unfolding through synergistic intentionality , where human effort and divine grace cooperate in the ongoing journey toward theosis . Upward Emerge...

Phenomenological and Synergistic Intentionality: The Loci Phenomenological intentionality and synergistic intentionality both involve the directedness of human consciousness. However, they emerge from distinct frameworks and correspond to different aspects of human existence and experience. Below is an exploration of their respective loci and characteristics: Synergistic Intentionality and the Nous The Nous in Christian Understanding In Orthodox Christian theology, particularly within the Patristic tradition, the Nous is considered the highest faculty of the soul. It is not merely intellect or reason as understood in Western philosophy, but the spiritual intellect—the center of divine perception. The Nous is the locus of human relationality with God, uniquely capable of apprehending spiritual truths and participating in divine realities. Synergistic Intentionality in the Nous Synergistic intentionality, the cooperative dynamic between human freedom and divine grace, is inherent...

  Alterity, Ikon, and Love in Agaposofia In the philosophy of Agaposofia, the integration of Alterity, Ikon, and Love forms a cornerstone for understanding human relationality and ethical responsibility. Drawing upon the theological insights of Orthodox Patristics , the philosophical contributions of Relational Personalism and Existential Phenomenology , and parallels with the ethics of Emmanuel Levinas , this principle asserts that our interactions with the Other are rooted in recognizing their divine image— eikon theou . This perspective carries profound ethical implications, especially when framed within a dynamic relational ontology. Alterity: The Ethical Presence of the Other Alterity refers to the experience and acknowledgment of the Other as distinct, unique, and irreducible. Levinas profoundly reshaped the Western philosophical discourse on ethics by presenting the face of the Other as a summons to responsibility—a call to love and care that t...

The Concept of Care (Epimeleia) in Comparison to the Heideggerian Concept of Care (Sorge).  Concept of Care (Epimeleia) Definition: Epimeleia (ἐπιμέλεια) is a Greek term that refers to a deliberate, thoughtful, and active form of care or attention. It encompasses concern, responsibility, and the act of tending to something or someone with intentionality. It is often used to describe both personal care (self-care) and care for others, and it includes aspects of both physical and moral responsibility . Epimeleia can be understood in two primary dimensions: 1. Care for Oneself: This includes epimeleia heautou (care of oneself), which in Greek philosophy (particularly in Plato and Aristotle) refers to the responsibility of maintaining one's own well-being, both physically and spiritually. It involves wisdom, self-reflection, and ethical development, emphasizing the cultivation of virtues like temperance and courage. 2. Care for Others: This extends to the broader, more ...

 taken from Chapter 5 of The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church ( St Vladimir's Seminary Press: Crestwood, New York, 1976 - pp. 91-113. ) Our Identity as Relational Beings It is often forgotten that the creation of the world is not a truth of a philosophical order, but rather an article of faith. Ancient philosophy knows nothing of creation in the absolute sense of the word; the demiurge of Plato is not a creator-God, but rather an ordainer of the universe, a craftsman, a fashioner of the kosmos, a word itself implying order and comeliness. 'Being' in Hellenistic thought signifies existence in some ordered manner, the possession of an essence . The demiurge creates substances giving form to amorphous matter which exists eternally and independently of himself as a chaotic and unqualifiable mass, capable of receiving every possible form and quality. In itself, matter is thus non-being, a pure potentiality of being , of becoming something; it is [the  Relative Non-Being]...