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Work #517 · Early

On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis)

Origen of Alexandria
c. 230 · Koine Greek (mostly preserved in Latin)
Systematic theology · Alexandrian Christian theology

Origen's c. 230 foundational systematic theological work — the first Christian systematic

Attribute Fingerprint

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

Attribute On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis) (Early)
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 Plural
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency Personal
Observer · Moral Authority Scripture
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

On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis)

Pre-cosmic souls, cosmic history, and universal restoration.

Space

On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis)

Cosmic-spiritual hierarchy.

Matter

On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis)

Created spiritual and material beings.

Observer

On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis)

The pre-existent rational soul.

Energy

On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis)

Energies of fall and apokatastasis.

Information

On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis)

First Christian systematic-theological framework.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

On First Principles (Peri Archōn / De Principiis)

Origen's speculative theology condemned in 553 but foundational for patristic and modern theology.