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The Return to the Mystical: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Teresa of Avila and the Christian Mystical Tradition
What is mystical is not how the world is but that it is' (Ludwig Wittgenstein)The Spanish Carmelite reformer, Teresa of Avila and the Austrian professor of logic, Ludwig Wittgenstein do not at first sight seem to be the most obvious of bed fellows. Yet, in this strikingly original work, Dr Peter Tyler argues that both were galvinised through their reading to 'see the world aright' by a radical form of writing known as 'mystical'. As young adults both were in turmoil, loneliness and despair, yet found in this style of writing personal transformation, commitment and, most of all, engagement with the world. This new 'path to the heart', argues the author, is what makes their writing so powerful and transformational to this day.'
296 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2011
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September 12, 2016
It will be demonstrated that both achieve this objective by inventing new similes, new ways of looking at things, turning our assumptions upside-down, using humor, aporia and irony. Their gestures and comments will nudge us in certain directions so that in Wittgenstein’s case we can begin to ‘seethe world aright’ (T: 6.54)
Their strategies interrupt the spontaneous, unselfconscious flow of our ongoing‘mental’ activity forcing us to re-evaluate our place in the world and our attitude to it. They will use language in unusual and provocative ways and, by the means of carefully selected images and metaphors, suggest new ways of seeing and acting. By sometimes shocking and surprising us, these authors will bring us back to what we knew already but were unable to express in words. Through it we shall return to where we began and see something for the first time.I will also argue that both understand that for there to be a real life changing ‘change of aspect’ ordinary discourse must be challenged by ‘apophatic’ modes of speech. This will enable us to ‘see the world aright’and initiate embodied ethical action in the world.
I have changed your way of viewing.(Z: 461)
Their strategies interrupt the spontaneous, unselfconscious flow of our ongoing‘mental’ activity forcing us to re-evaluate our place in the world and our attitude to it. They will use language in unusual and provocative ways and, by the means of carefully selected images and metaphors, suggest new ways of seeing and acting. By sometimes shocking and surprising us, these authors will bring us back to what we knew already but were unable to express in words. Through it we shall return to where we began and see something for the first time.I will also argue that both understand that for there to be a real life changing ‘change of aspect’ ordinary discourse must be challenged by ‘apophatic’ modes of speech. This will enable us to ‘see the world aright’and initiate embodied ethical action in the world.
I have changed your way of viewing.(Z: 461)
Displaying 1 of 1 review