Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.64356/2233-1387.2025.29.2.155
Nihil-Onto-Theology: A Contemporary Ontological Analysis of the Theology and Philosophy of John Scotus Eriugena
Toma Gruica
orcid.org/0000-0003-0547-5825
; Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, Graz, Austria
Abstract
The paper aims to frame the central paradox—Being as „nothing”—by exploring the theology of Johannes Scotus Eriugena, Heidegger’s rejection of onto-theology, Przywara’s analogia entis, and the contrast between arborescent and rhizomatic metaphysics through the philosophy of Jean-Luc Marion. The expression „Deus est nihilus...” presents a unique challenge in terms of language and philosophy: how can we speak of something that „is not.” Jean-Luc Marion’s idea of a „theology without Being” is key to this investigation, as it suggests a way of speaking about the Divine that transcends traditional linguistic structures. Heidegger’s own evolution in thought, from initially excluding concepts like „spirit” and „God” to writing about them, also underscores the importance of language in shaping our understanding of the Divine. Thus, this paper will examine Eriugena’s philosophy and theology, supported by the works of Erich Przywara, Martin Heidegger, and Jean-Luc Marion, to analyze his approaches to language and the concepts of nothingness, Being, and God through the lens of contemporary ontology. It explores how Eriugena’s ideas about Being and nothingness contribute to our understanding of what it means to speak of the immaterial and the Divine.
Keywords
John Scot Eriugena; Martin Heidegger; onthology; philosophy of language; negative theology
Hrčak ID:
343854
URI
Publication date:
28.1.2026.
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