2011/03/07 by Columba Stewart · 3 citations
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies #Biblical Studies and Interpretation #Religious, Philosophical, and Educational Studies
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1468-0025.2010.01675.x
openalex publication_date 2011/03/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract Evagrius Ponticus (c. 345–399) combined the resources of Hellenistic philosophy, the theologies of Origen and the Cappadocians, and Egyptian monastic practice to create a comprehensive view of spiritual development, within which he placed a sophisticated study of the human passions. His main tools in this study were an adapted version of Platonic tripartite anthropology and his own system of eight “generic thoughts.” Freedom from control by irrational passions would allow a monk to gain deeper insight into the meaning of Scripture, experience communion with God in “pure prayer,” and love other people in freedom. Evagrius' influence on later eastern and western Christian traditions was profound, though often obscured by his controversial reputation.