Bibliography
Daniel
Yingst
Contributions to edited collections or authored works
Yingst, Daniel, “Quae omnia concorditer consonant: Eriugena’s universe in the thought of Honorius Augustodunensis”, in: Willemien Otten, and Michael I. Allen (eds), Eriugena and Creation: proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Eriugenian Studies, held in honor of Edouard Jeauneau, Chicago, 9–12 November 2011, Turnhout: Brepols, 2014. 427–461.
abstract:
In his masterwork the Periphyseon, John Scottus Eriugena produced perhaps the most profound and far ranging exploration of the concept of nature in the Middle Ages. However, the metaphysical subtlety and density of Eriugena’s thought, not to mention the air of heresy which always lingered around the Irishman, makes it difficult to see how his ideas influenced the broader religious culture of subsequent centuries. Within the works of the enigmatic Honorius Augustodunenis, perhaps the most devoted student of Eriugena’s thought and one of the most popular authors of the twelfth century, we can catch a glimpse of how Eriugena’s understanding of nature was received and, more importantly, adapted and transmitted to a wider audience. Honorius largely wrote basic instructional treatises for use in everyday preaching and pastoral care, for those lacking extensive theological training or access to well-stocked libraries. He is thus engaged in a constant rendering of spiritual truths in material terms and through image and example. More, Honorius’s understanding of Eriugena conditioned future reception of the Irishman’s work through his summary of the Periphyseon, the Clavis Physicae, which after Eriugena’s condemnation provided one of the primary means by which his thought reached future generations. An examination of Honorius’s writings, therefore, provides great insight into how Eriugena was digested and presented to a popular audience and, further, establishes Eriugena’s place within Honorius’s own thought, thought that enjoyed wide appeal for centuries.
abstract:
In his masterwork the Periphyseon, John Scottus Eriugena produced perhaps the most profound and far ranging exploration of the concept of nature in the Middle Ages. However, the metaphysical subtlety and density of Eriugena’s thought, not to mention the air of heresy which always lingered around the Irishman, makes it difficult to see how his ideas influenced the broader religious culture of subsequent centuries. Within the works of the enigmatic Honorius Augustodunenis, perhaps the most devoted student of Eriugena’s thought and one of the most popular authors of the twelfth century, we can catch a glimpse of how Eriugena’s understanding of nature was received and, more importantly, adapted and transmitted to a wider audience. Honorius largely wrote basic instructional treatises for use in everyday preaching and pastoral care, for those lacking extensive theological training or access to well-stocked libraries. He is thus engaged in a constant rendering of spiritual truths in material terms and through image and example. More, Honorius’s understanding of Eriugena conditioned future reception of the Irishman’s work through his summary of the Periphyseon, the Clavis Physicae, which after Eriugena’s condemnation provided one of the primary means by which his thought reached future generations. An examination of Honorius’s writings, therefore, provides great insight into how Eriugena was digested and presented to a popular audience and, further, establishes Eriugena’s place within Honorius’s own thought, thought that enjoyed wide appeal for centuries.
