The return to the mystical
Subtitle: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Teresa of Avila and the Christian mystical tradition
By: Peter Tyler
Publisher: Continuum
Published: 2011
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 275
ISBN-13: 9781441104441
Subjects: Mystische Erfahrung; Mysticism; Catholic Church; Mystische Theologie
Description: The Spanish Carmelite reformer, Teresa of Avila and the Austrian professor of logic, Ludwig Wittgenstein do not at first sight seem to be the most obvious of bed fellows. Yet, in this strikingly original work, Dr Peter Tyler argues that both were galvinised through their reading to 'see the world aright' by a radical form of writing known as 'mystical'. As young adults both were in turmoil, loneliness and despair, yet found in this style of writing personal transformation, commitment and, most of all, engagement with the world. This new 'path to the heart', argues the author, is what makes their writing so powerful and transformational to this day.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-266) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: A change of aspect?; title: pt. 1. A Wittgensteinian view of the mystical. What is mystical anyway?; title: Saying and showing : a Wittgensteinian methodology; title: pt. 2. The evolution of the theologia mystica. The origins of the theologia mystica : Dionysius the Areopagite; title: The medieval flowering of the theologia mystica; title: The emergence of the Spanish school : mystical theology as 'recollection'; title: pt. 3. Wittgenstein and Teresa of Avila. Teresa of Avila's mystical strategies; title: Wittgenstein and the return to the mystical; title: A concluding unscientific postscript: A 'life question' or 'empty chatter'?