Fleeing the Stadium: Recovering the Conceptual Unity of Evagrius’ Acedia

The definition of acedia presents unique conceptual problems among the eight Evagrian logismoi. Its descriptions are so complex and varied as to render the concept seemingly incoherent. This article argues that the conceptual unity of acedia has been obscured by the translation of Evagrian logismoi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Heythrop journal
Main Author: Aijian, J. L. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell [2021]
In: Heythrop journal
IxTheo Classification:CB Christian life; spirituality
KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
KCA Monasticism; religious orders
NBE Anthropology
NBH Angelology; demonology
ZD Psychology
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:The definition of acedia presents unique conceptual problems among the eight Evagrian logismoi. Its descriptions are so complex and varied as to render the concept seemingly incoherent. This article argues that the conceptual unity of acedia has been obscured by the translation of Evagrian logismoi into the ‘deadly sins’ tradition, resulting in a category error. Acedia is more properly understood, not as a psychological state or a sin, but rather as an array of demonic temptations with the unifying end-goal of interrupting the anchoritic ideal of sustained contemplation.
ISSN:1468-2265
Contains:Enthalten in: Heythrop journal
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/heyj.13175