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Work #495 · Mid

Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature)

John Scotus Eriugena
c. 867 · Latin
Cosmological-theological dialogue · Carolingian Christian Neoplatonism

Eriugena's c. 867 foundational Carolingian Neoplatonist cosmology — fourfold division of nature

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature) (Mid)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency Cosmic-ordering
Observer · Moral Authority Tradition
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature)

The cyclical-cosmological time of fourfold nature.

Space

Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature)

The fourfold-divided cosmic space.

Matter

Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature)

Created-uncreated matter.

Observer

Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature)

The cosmic-theological inquirer.

Energy

Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature)

Energies of divine creation-procession-return.

Information

Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature)

Foundational fourfold-cosmological framework.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature)

Eriugena's pantheist-affined cosmology condemned in 1225 yet influential through Cusa and modern philosophy.