THE THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE OF SEVERIN BOETHIUS: MAIN CONCEPTS AND MEANINGS IN THE CONTEXT OF MEDIEVAL THEOLOGY

Abstract

The article considers the issues of some initial provisions of the theory of cognition as part of the theology of the famous medieval thinker Severin Boethius. The main concepts of cognition are considered: reason, intellect, intelligence, divine knowledge, universals, divine mind, simple form and others. The aim of the article is to systematically present the key problems that reveal the place of cognition as an activity that determines the meaning of human existence in the epistemological doctrine of S. Boethius. Arguments in favor of the relationship between the concept of “divine mind” by S. Boethius and the concept of νους (from the Greek “mind”) in Aristotle. The origin of the concept of “simple form” is revealed. Based on conceptual analysis, it has been shown that much of Severin Boethius’ epistemological ideas are borrowed from Aristotle. Research has been conducted on the relationship between the concepts of “simple form” and “divine knowledge” as different types of knowledge acquired through “divine intelligence”. The significance of the concepts of the highest level of cognition is demonstrated and the purpose of their introduction by S. Boethius in the work “Consolation from Philosophy” (in the context of his epistemology) is investigated. The reasons for the diversity of means of cognition and types of knowledge, as well as the reasons for their different perfection (according to the principle of hierarchical nesting) are identified. It has been determined that the metaphysical entities that participated in such a division are destiny, providence, and the divine mind. The human use different means of cognition in education and science has been studied and the distribution of means of cognition and types of knowledge in accordance with individual sciences according to the classification of S. Boethius has been established. The result of the study is a theological interpretation of the views of S. Boethius on the limits and possibilities of human knowledge and purpose of human as a being created by God.