Commentary on the Beginning of Damascius' De Primis Principiis

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2GENERAL REMARKThe first section is devoted to a searching investigation of what the AbsoluteFirst Principle is. So D. adopts the descending order in the explanation (i.e.derivation) of reality; for in the sequel, the first principles will be exa mined whichimmediately follow the Absolutely first. Not that he disregards the ascending process;in fact, as we shall see, he gives two ἀναβάσεις in this section from what isimmediately given to us to what is the ultimate “given” [1] in rerum natura. Bu twhereas the ascent is easier inasmuch as we can more readily comprehend the orderof presupposition, the descent is extremely difficult as it relates to the order ofderivation. Even though the two orders must be the observe and reverse sides ofone and the same coin, namely of the ontological dependence of the lower on thehigher, and so of the one obtaining structure and order of reality, still tounderstand B ’s presupposing A is immensely easier than conceiving B ’s derivationfrom A or A ’s production o r generation of B. Accordingly D. makes the ascent thetopic of a part of his first section (subservient as this ascent is here, let it be alsonoticed, to the proper quasi-apprehension of the absolutely first principle), butdevotes his whole (incomplete now) work to that all-puzzling descent, choosing topenetrate deeper in each succeeding reality when it is met in the downwards processrather than in the ascent to the ultimate, where he treats the realities encounteredsummarily and only to the extent th at some indication of their nature is required forthe proper understanding of the ascent itself.The general structure of the first section is this:A) Abstract inquiry on the absolutely Primal Principle1.4 – 18.25B) The Ascent18.26 – 41.20Aa) Is the Absolutely First Principle beyond everything and every realitywhatsoever (τὰ πάντα), or is it part of the sum-total of reality (τὶ τῶν πάντων)?1.4 – 5.2Ab) Why is it not the Ἓν the Absolutely First Principle?
35.2 – 9.10Ac) In what sense is the Absolutely First Principle absolutely unknowable (ἄγνωστον παντελῶς)?9.11 – 15.25Ad) Difficulties in D. ’s doctrine about the Absolutely First Principle, and theirsolutions15.26 – 18.23Ba) First Ascent18.23 – 27.4Bb) Second Ascent27.5 – 38.25Bc) Supplement to the Ascents: Ascent through Wholenesses (Integrals)38.25 – 41.20Aa)1.4-6. Position of the problem1.4 Πάντα is the sum-total of reality; it includes everything of whatever kindsubsisting in reality in whatever way. In effect πάντα = the real, but so understoodas to transcend the ordinary distinction of true or primary reality and secondary,apparent reality [2]. Πάντα = the sum-total of what subsists in whichever way ,the totality of the subsistent realities [3].It is the principle ( ἀρχή) of πάντα in this sense, that it is the absolutely firstprinciple. And the question is whether this ἀρχὴ τῶν πάντων is beyond the πάνταwhose principle it is, or is a part of the πάντα, in which case it would be like the apexof the πάντα, i.e. of everything that came to be as a reality out of it and after it.1.5. The προϊόν is that which comes to be present in reality , comes to subsistin it, as the result of the subsistence of that from, or out of, which it proceeds. Wemust keep together these two elements in our conception of προϊέναι, προϊόν etc.: a)presence, manifestation, subsistence in reality, b) resulting fro m the source of theπρόοδος which produces as a result the προϊόν.1.6-2.7. Examination of the first theoretically available alternative:that the ἀρχὴ τῶν πάντων is beyond the πάντα [4].
Page 4 and 5: 4Four reasons are, in aporematic fa
Page 6 and 7: 6ὐθύς, i.e. without any prior
Page 8 and 9: 8ἀμερές). Thus nothing is mi
Page 10 and 11: 10separate them. Basically, as Aris
Page 12 and 13: 12produced by, it; the principle in
Page 14 and 15: 14the fashion of its one-ness, i.e.
Page 16 and 17: 16[36] it may be. Now the def inite
Page 18 and 19: 18found, and (there found) in accor
Page 20 and 21: 20in its elf (apart from the orderi
Page 22 and 23: 22something whose immediate product
Page 24 and 25: 24clearer, as the system is further
Page 26 and 27: 26ἡνωμένον, which generate
Page 28 and 29: 28We find in this here a good insta
Page 30 and 31: 30fully see his point, and to take,
Page 32 and 33: 32NOTES[1] Not quite “given” th
Page 34 and 35: 34forget that, for the time being,
Page 36 and 37: 36[28] The interpretation given to
Page 38 and 39: 38[39] It can be shown that there c
Page 40 and 41: 40being immersed in it, handling it

Commentary on the Beginning of Damascius' De Primis Principiis

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