Number DOI: https://doi.org/10.33209/2519-4348-2018-6-257-280

VB. – № 6, 2018. – P. 257-280

Summary

Everyone who will deal with Byzantine philosophy must necessarily address several key questions, and the answers then determine what conception of Byzantine philosophy is. He writes six of these questions:
1. Is it possible to speak in Byzantium at all about some philosophy or an original philosophy?
2. From when can we talk about Byzantine philosophy?
3. The question of continuity and discontinuity of Byzantine philosophy.
4. The question of the autonomy of Byzantine philosophy.
5. What is Byzantine philosophy?
6. The question of periodization of Byzantine philosophy.
The first question concerns the originality – the non-originality and syncretism of Byzantine philosophy. The paper shows that syncretism does not mean non-original, and also points out that it is an approach that is taken from Helenistic philosophy.
The second question concerns the beginning of Byzantine philosophy. Two different aspects can be used here, the first one being connected with the understanding of the Byzantine Empire, the beginning of which is traced differently in the 4th, 6th or 7th centuries. The second point looks specifically at the Byzantine (autonomous) philosophy found in the 9th or 11th century.
The third question concerns the continuity of Byzantine philosophy and its link to ancient philosophy. This is mainly about the choice of reference points, since it is possible to compare eg the 2nd century after Christ and the 4th century, but also the 4th century BC. and the 14th century after Kr. The continuity of Helenistic and Byzantine philosophy can certainly be seen.
The sixth question compels the attitude to the question of whether the Byzantine philosophy is independent of theology. Proponents of autonomy then considerably narrow the circle of Byzantine philosophers and its period.
The fifth question concerns the very essence of Byzantine philosophy. How is she? What are her themes? It is very important to solve the question whether it is autonomous or not.
The sixth question is then the result of the penetration of others.

Key words: Byzantium, Byzantine philosophy, ancient philosophy, theology, patrology.