"God too longs; and because the Absolute Life itself, which dwells in our life, and inspires these very longings, possesses the true world, and is that world"
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The quote from Josiah Royce suggests an extensive metaphysical reflection on the relationship between the divine, human yearning, and truth. Royce, an influential American thinker understood for his work in idealism, often considered the connections in between individual experience and the greater, merged reality-- or the Absolute.
In this text, "God too longs" implies that the divine, or Absolute, is not simply a passive entity but shares in the dynamic procedures of yearning and aspiration. This concept challenges conventional conceptions of God as a static, unchanging being. Rather, Royce recommends a more intimate and understanding connection between the divine and human experiences. The concept that "the Absolute Life itself, which stays in our life" communicates the concept of immanence: the divine exists within every aspect of our lives, not different or distant. It suggests a shared essence or spiritual unity in between humanity and the Absolute.
The phrase "motivates these really longings" indicates that the source of our inmost desires and aspirations has its roots in the divine being. Our yearnings for fact, beauty, and goodness are not simply individual impulses but are basically linked to the magnificent nature itself. This reveals a sort of participatory metaphysics where human and magnificent truths are inextricably linked.
Lastly, "has the true world, and is that world" encapsulates the essence of idealism, where reality is not independent of awareness however is eventually made up by the magnificent mind. Here, Royce suggests that the real world is basically linked with the Absolute. The world as we perceive it is not different from the divine however an expression or symptom of it.
In summary, Royce's quote invites readers to think about a view of the universe where magnificent aspirations and human longings are interwoven, pointing towards a reality that is fundamentally spiritual and unified, with God being both the creative force and the ultimate essence of all existence.
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