Cosmological Polemics in Against Eunomius II, 72–76 of Gregory of Nyssa

Dmitry Biriukov

doi:10.1163/18177565-bja10032

Abstract

Abstract I analyze the polemically charged exposition of classical cosmologies by Gregory of Nyssa in Against Eunomius II, 72–76, and identify probable sources for this passage and the targets of Gregory’s criticism of classical cosmologies, manifested in this passage. In Against Eunomius II, 73–75, Gregory presents the Aristotelian cosmology and polemicizes with it. My analysis shows three avenues of Gregory’s criticism of the Aristotelian cosmology, which are manifested in this passage. As my analysis of Against Eunomius II, 76 shows, in this passage, Gregory summarizes and criticizes the Stoic natural-philosophical and cosmological doctrine that there is the limitless void beyond the limits of the cosmos, in which cosmos moves (probably by expanding and contracting). I identify two points in Gregory’s criticism of this doctrine. Finally, I suggest that the immediate Gregory’s source regarding this Stoic doctrine was a treatise of Cleomedes.

Highlights

In* II.[72–76] of Against Eunomius, Gregory of Nyssa polemicizes with some cosmological doctrines
My analysis shows three avenues of Gregory’s criticism of the Aristotelian cosmology, which are manifested in this passage
11 Aristotle, Metaphysica Λ 8, 1073а23–1073b1. Exactly this cosmological “physicalism” is criticized by Gregory of Nyssa when in Against Eunomius II, 73–74, he asks a rhetorical question about the possibility of cosmology based on the idea of two celestial material bodies identical in their nature, embracing and embraced, tightly adjoining each other in such a way that the embracing remains immovable, while the embraced is moving along the circular trajectory directed by the embracing body

Summary

Introduction

In* II.[72–76] of Against Eunomius, Gregory of Nyssa polemicizes with some cosmological doctrines. As my analysis of Against Eunomius II, 76 shows, in this passage, Gregory summarizes and criticizes the Stoic natural-philosophical and cosmological doctrine that there is the limitless void beyond the limits of the cosmos, in which cosmos moves (probably by expanding and contracting).

Results

Conclusion