University of Cambridge
A theological exploration of the shape of life and death in dialogue with the biographical works of Gregory of Nyssa
Abstract
dc:description.abstractIn this thesis I investigate Gregory of Nyssa’s doctrine of the spiritual ascent of epektasis in order to uncover a theological vision of progress through the passage of a human life. I argue that how such progress is construed yields vivid ethical implications for how ageing and dying at the end of life can be experienced and perceived. In the course of making this argument, three additional projects are developed. First, primary use is made of Gregory’s under-studied biographical works, and a proof of their relevance to his doctrinal thought and richness as ethical sources offered. Second, three distinctively ‘Nyssen’ virtuous practices are analyzed and their relation to Gregory’s doctrinal positions clarified; one practice in particular, forgiving, having received scarce attention in the literature thus far. Third, in positing that practice throughout life can shape perceptions of life’s end, a challenge is posed to recent ethical studies insistent on treating the end of life as its own siphoned off frontier without reference to a whole picture of living. The thesis engages, then, with the ethical implications of theological anthropology, contributing both to the study of Gregory of Nyssa and to contemporary debate pertaining to questions of ageing and dying.
Degree
thesis:*- Name dc:type.qualificationname
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
- Doctoral
- Grantor dc:publisher.institution
- University of Cambridge
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2021
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Scott, Jessica Grace
- Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
-
- Davison, Andrew
Subjects
dc:subject × 6Rights
dc:rightsIdentifiers
dc:identifier.*- DOI dc:identifier.doi
- https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.75286
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/327831