Abstract
Although we live in a post-metaphysical age, there is a renewed interest in transcendence, especially at the intersection of philosophy, religion, and theology. There are several reasons for this: among others, the important link that the future (eschatology) has with the unknown or that which lies beyond (transcendence). In this article, this relation between eschatology and transcendence is explored by analysing different concepts of transcendence and their possible relations to the future. Jacques Derrida and Catharine Malabou’s concepts of the future are used to shed light on the link between eschatology and transcendence as “impossible”. Secondly, Jean-Luc Nancy’s concept of transimmanence is introduced, in an attempt to find such a possible link. A reconceptualisation of transcendence as transimmanence and a reconceptualisation of the future of eschatology as something “outside within”, facilitate a link between these terms, but the original or general meanings of these terms then become impossible. This outcome urges a rethinking of the meaning and role of transcendence, eschatology, and the future in our post-metaphysical age.
Highlights
The question about the relationship between eschatology and transcendence forms part of a broader current interest in both these concepts
In the fourth part of the article, Nancy’s concept of transimmanence is introduced as an alternative to the dichotomy of immanence/transcendence, and in an attempt to find a possible link between transimmanence and eschatology
Transcendence becomes the experience of reality as a subjective force (Being, God, the Other, fate, etc.) that “surpasses one’s expectations, demolishes one’s self-centred autonomy and descends on one from an open future” ([13], p. 9). It is questionable whether Irigaray and Derrida succeed in balancing transcendence and immanence since, on the one hand, this alterity of transcendence leads to radical or hyper-transcendence, and on the other hand it degenerates into radical immanence, or post-transcendence, because transcendence is understood as nothing more than experiences of self-transcendence in the anthropological and psychological sense, with no real “outside”
Summary
The question about the relationship between eschatology and transcendence forms part of a broader current interest in both these concepts. It becomes a complex process to link this with transcendence, because the concept of future itself is problematised in terms of Derrida and Malabou’s understandings thereof, as is shown in the third part of this article. The outcome of this analysis is that it seems impossible to link eschatology and transcendence. Nancy’s transimmanence provides a possible link between these terms, but it implies that both eschatology and transcendence need to be reconceptualised. This is perhaps more acceptable and reconcilable within post-metaphysical philosophy than in theology
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
