Famous quote by Ralph Cudworth

"Now all the knowledge and wisdom that is in creatures, whether angels or men, is nothing else but a participation of that one eternal, immutable and increased wisdom of God"

About this Quote

Ralph Cudworth, a prominent 17th-century theorist and theologian, provides a profound viewpoint on the nature of understanding and knowledge in this quote. His assertion depends upon the idea of magnificent involvement-- the idea that all real knowledge and wisdom had by produced beings, be they angels or human beings, is inherently a sharing in the divine knowledge of God.

Cudworth suggests that the source of all wisdom is particular and eternal, describing it as "immutable", which indicates unchanging and constant, and "increased", suggesting an ever-expanding or generous sharing from God's limitless reserve. This ties into the Neoplatonic idea of God as the supreme source and font style of all that is excellent and real, where whatever in production shows the divine, albeit imperfectly. In this view, human and angelic knowledge does not stem from within themselves but is a derivative of the divine intelligence.

By mentioning that our knowledge is a "participation", Cudworth suggests a dependence on God's wisdom. It is not self-generated; rather, it is something in which we partake. This challenges any concepts of human beings as having self-governing or self-sufficient wisdom.

Furthermore, this view raises the nature of knowledge beyond mere build-up of realities or earthly understanding, framing it as a spiritual sharing in the divine. Both angels and human beings, regardless of their various standings in the cosmic hierarchy, gain access to the very same divine source for their understanding, emphasizing a unity amongst all sentient beings in their search for reality.

This viewpoint likewise underscores humility. Since our knowledge is not independent however a participation in something greater, it invites a sense of reverence for the source and a tip of our constraints. It encourages a deeper pursuit of knowledge, not just as an intellectual venture but as a spiritual journey towards aligning more closely with the magnificent knowledge from whence all comprehending circulations.

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United Kingdom Flag This quote is from Ralph Cudworth. He/she was a famous Theologian from United Kingdom. The author also have 3 other quotes.
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