Christian Metaphysics and Neoplatonism (Eric Voegelin Institute Series in Political Philosophy: Studies in Religion and Politics) (ERIC VOEGELIN INST SERIES)

161 Pages·2008·0.98 MB·English

by  Albert Camus

Christian
Metaphysics
and
Neoplatonism
(cid:2)
ERIC VOEGELIN INSTITUTE SERIES IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Studies in Religion and Politics
Voegelin and the Problem of Christian Political Order, by Jeffrey C.
Herndon
Republicanism, Religion, and the Soul of America,by Ellis Sandoz
Michael Oakeshott on Religion, Aesthetics, and Politics, by Elizabeth
Campbell Corey
Jesus and the Gospel Movement: Not Afraid to Be Partners, by William
Thompson-Uberuaga
The Religious Foundations of Francis Bacon’s Thought, by Stephen A.
McKnight
OTHER BOOKS IN THE ERIC VOEGELIN SERIES IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
The American Way of Peace: An Interpretation,by Jan Prybyla
Faith and Political Philosophy: The Correspondence between Leo Strauss
and Eric Voegelin, 1934–1964, edited by Peter Emberley and Barry
Cooper
New Political Religions, or an Analysis of Modern Terrorism, by Barry
Cooper
Art and Intellect in the Philosophy of Étienne Gilson,by Francesca Aran
Murphy
Robert B. Heilman and Eric Voegelin: A Friendship in Letters, 1944–1984,
edited by Charles R. Embry
Voegelin, Schelling, and the Philosophy of Historical Existence,by Jerry Day
Transcendence and History: The Search for Ultimacy from Ancient Societies
to Postmodernity,by Glenn Hughes
Eros, Wisdom, and Silence: Plato’s Erotic Dialogues,by James M. Rhodes
The Narrow Path of Freedom and Other Essays,by Eugene Davidson
Hans Jonas: The Integrity of Thinking,by David J. Levy
A Government of Laws: Political Theory, Religion, and the American
Founding,by Ellis Sandoz
Augustine and Politics as Longing in the World,by John von Heyking
Lonergan and the Philosophy of Historical Existence, by Thomas J.
McPartland
Christian
Metaphysics
and
Neoplatonism
by Albert Camus
(cid:2)
Translated with an
introduction by
Ronald D. Srigley
University of Missouri Press
Columbia and London
Copyright 2007 by
The Curators of the University of Missouri
University of Missouri Press, Columbia, Missouri 65201
Printed and bound in the United States of America
All rights reserved
5 4 3 2 1 11 10 09 08 07
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Camus, Albert, 1913–1960.
[Metaphysique chretienne et neoplatonisme. English]
Christian metaphysics and neoplatonism / by Albert Camus ; translated with an
introduction by Ronald D. Srigley.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8262-1753-0 (alk. paper)
1. Christianity—Philosophy. 2. Metaphysics. 3. Neoplatonism.
4. Evangelicalism. 5. Gnosticism. 6. Mysticism. 7. Augustine, Saint, Bishop of
Hippo. I. Title.
BR100.C34313 2007
190—dc22
2007024797
This paper meets the requirements of the American National Standard for
Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, Z39.48, 1984.
Text design: Stephanie Foley
Jacket design: Susan Ferber
Typesetter: BookComp, Inc.
Printer and binder: The Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing Group
Typeface: Utopia
Publication of this book has been assisted by a contribution from the Eric Voegelin
Institute, which gratefully acknowledges the generous support provided for the
series by the Earhart Foundation and the Sidney Richards Moore Memorial Fund.
For Kate

Contents
(cid:2)
Acknowledgments ix
Translator’s Introduction 1
Christian Metaphysics and Neoplatonism
Introduction 39
Chapter One. Evangelical Christianity 46
Chapter Two. Gnosis 67
Chapter Three. Mystic Reason 88
Chapter Four. Augustine 115
Conclusion 131
Bibliography 135
Index 141

Acknowledgments
(cid:2)
I would like to thank my friend Bruce Ward, who first sug-
gested this project to me several years ago. My translation is the fruit of
his suggestion, and the latest installment in our ongoing (I will not say
eternal) debate about the ancients and the moderns. Tracey Higgin’s
careful reading of an earlier draft of this manuscript helped me refine
my translation significantly and to appreciate the beauty and subtlety
of the French language. Dr. Gérard Vallée of McMaster University was a
great help in tracking down some of Camus’ more obscure ancient
terms. He also taught me a thing or two about the nature of the trans-
lator’s art. Many thanks to my colleague at Laurentian University, Guy
Chamberland, who gave generously of his time and talents in tracking
down and translating several of Camus’ original Latin sources. Thanks
go to Beverly Jarrett, director and editor-in-chief of the University of
Missouri Press, whose support of my work has been constant and untir-
ing. Thanks also go to Sara Davis and Julie Schorfheide for getting the
manuscript into shape. Many thanks also to Mme. Catherine Camus
for her encouragement of this project and her permission to reproduce
Métaphysique chrétienne et néoplatonismein English translation. Jerry
Day has discussed with me or read nearly everything I have thought or
written about Camus over the years. His good sense and his friendship
are things that have counted for me. From Zdravko Planinc I learned
how to read Camus. Thanks to him for a pedagogy that always left room
for a second sailing and that wisely kept the important parts of the map
blank. A very heartfelt thanks to Susan Srigley for her fine conversation,
her constant encouragement, and for her gracious efforts to keep me in
ix