Article
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From Palma to Princeton: Reconstruction and translation of the (lost) Gothic-Renaissance staircase of Calle del Agua
Enric MALLORQUÍ-RUSCALLEDA
Original title: De Palma a Princeton: Reconstrucción y traducción de la escalinata (perdida) gótico-renacentista de la Calle del Agua
Published in Returning to Eden
Keywords: Architecture, Gothic-Renaissance, Heritage, Inscriptions, Mallorca, Medieval Catalan, Princeton University Art Museum, Reconstruction, Restoration, Translation.
In this paper, the staircase on Calle del Agua in Palma de Mallorca, previously considered lost, is studied from its documented Gothic-Renaissance historical context by Domenge Mesquida and Byne to its heritage significance. Specifically, it explains my experience as a researcher with the staircase, having to face complex challenges in identifying, reconstructing, and translating into English the inscriptions that adorn it. For the first time, the transcription and translation of the text on the stairway –medieval Catalan prayers– are presented, accompanied by photographs, thus highlighting its cultural and spiritual relevance. The collaboration of the curator from the Princeton University Art Museum in this significant discovery of Mallorca's architectural legacy is also acknowledged.
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Aquinas’ Reading of the Aristotelian Noetic Doctrine in De Anima 3, 5
Luiz ASTORGA
Original title: La Lectura de Santo Tomás de la Doctrina Noética Aristotélica en De Anima 3, 5
Published in Returning to Eden
Keywords: Active Intellect, Immateriality, Passive Intellect, Possible Intellect, Theory of intellect.
The goal of this paper is to show that Saint Thomas Aquinas’ reading of the Aristotelian text in the treatise On the Soul (Περὶ Ψυχῆς, De Anima) regarding the nature of the human intellective faculty – especially in the critical passage of Book III – is not only true to Aristotle’s intentions, but is also more correct and complete than the one put forward by many of Aquinas’ modern critics, who only admit in Aristotelian doctrine a passive intellect and an active intellect.
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Conversio ad creaturam and distentio animi: Considerations on non-being in the problems of evil and time in Augustine of Hippo
Bento Silva SANTOS; Adriano BERALDI
Original title: Conversio ad creaturam e distentio animi: Considerações sobre o não-ser nos problemas do mal e do tempo em Agostinho de Hipona
Published in Returning to Eden
The present article is dedicated to trace thoughts about some identifiable correspondences between Augustine of Hippo's conceptions of evil and of time through the indication of a relation between the movements of the voluntary defection of the will and the dispersion in the temporal mutability of the human creature in its link with non-being. To this end, some aspects of these conceptions will be examined both as worked out in De libero arbitrio and those elaborated in the Confessions, more specifically in Book XI (and to a certain extent in X), both works of the hyponensis where they appear, we believe, mutually implicated through the notions of conversio ad creaturam and distentio animi respectively.
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Paradise (c. 1551-1554) as royal scenery: approach to La Gloria, by Titian, in the historical-biographical context of Charles V
Carlos Jesús SOSA RUBIO
Original title: El Paraíso (c. 1551-1554) como escenografía regia: aproximación a La Gloria, de Tiziano, en el contexto histórico-biográfico de Carlos V
Published in Returning to Eden
Keywords: Arianism, Charles V, Eschatology, Iconography, Propaganda, Religious Conflicts, Titian.
La Gloria, also called Il Paradiso by Tiziano Vecellio, its author, is perhaps the greatest pictorial creation that the Venetian created during his last years of service to Emperor Charles V. Although it has been defined as a work where the coexistence of the theological, eschatological and dynastic factors reaches the character of a paradigm, and even though its greatness goes beyond the format, there are still numerous doubts that hang around it, fundamentally related to the motif represented, the identity of quite a few characters and the reasons that led to their commission. This research compiles and expands some of the assessments made throughout the history of the canvas, trying to shed a light on doubtful aspects and, along with the religious and private motivations as the driving force of its commission, also allude to those of ideological roots, given the context of religious wars and turbulence of faith in which Titian executed his creation.
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Fall and redemption of the knight in Curial e Güelfa
Sonia GROS LLADÓS
Original title: Caída y redención del caballero en Curial e Güelfa
Published in Returning to Eden
Keywords: Anthropocentrism, Chivalric novel, Curial e Güelfa, Fifteenth Century, Italian Humanism.
In this paper we propose a reading of the Catalan chivalric novel Curial e Güelfa, following the moral itinerary of the hero from the perspective of the Scriptures, with the intention of adequately assessing the profane character of the text, in our opinion, primarily anthropocentric, secular, and pagan, linked to an Italian humanistic context.
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The Paradise in Lo somni by Bernat Metge (c. 1340-1413)
Julia BUTINYÀ JIMÉNEZ
Original title: El Paradís en Lo somni de Bernat Metge (c. 1340-1413)
Published in Returning to Eden
Keywords: Bernat Metge, Humanism, Llibre del gentil e dels tres savis, Lo somni, Ramon Llull.
The concept of Paradise is analyzed in Lo somni, the great humanist dialogue by the notary of the chancellery of Barcelona, Bernat Metge, from the perspective of different religions and traditions (Catholic, Classical, Saracen doctrine and Christianity). The observation also makes it possible to calibrate the strong influence of the Mallorca Philosopher Ramon Llull, who is confirmed behind the origins of the humanist movement, as well as underlines the very peculiar techniques, the intensity of his critical sense and especially the intimate classicist bond. Still, he advances positions which are current issues.
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Can a Christian agree with the “modern values” of Modernity about abortion and homosexuality?
Eirini ARTEMI
Published in Games from Antiquity to Baroque
Keywords: Abortion, Church Fathers, Homosexuality, Orthodoxy, Sodomy.
Today, many people insist that their body belongs to them and they are free to use it as they want. Some argue that homosexuality and abortion are morally reprehensible and other try to embody in a law their moral or immoral convictions. Christianity refuses sodomy and abortion. God forbids the killing of innocent human beings because we are made in his image. Moreover, according to the doctrine of the Orthodox Church, fetus is a perfect human being since its conception. As for homosexuality, God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, or Eve and Mary. Of course, a very small percentage of homosexuals indicate a genetic basis for their homoerotic sexual orientation. Is homosexuality accepted by Christianity in this case? What do the Church Fathers believe about that? People who support abortions argue that it is up to the woman to decide whether it is right for her to have an abortion because it is her body. Some Christians believe that a woman has a right to a safe abortion, and that it shows compassion if the law allows this. Here is the mistake, our body does not belong to us, it is a creature of God, and we should pray for the miracle in any case. We are the directors of our body, not the masters. Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christian believe that abortion is morally wrong because of their belief that human life begins at conception. They may make an exception if an abortion is essential to save the life of the mother (the 'principle of double effect'), assuming all efforts have been made to save the fetus. So, the sin of wilfully aborting a child, except in those very rare situations where it may be necessary to save the life of the mother, is a sinful act, totally contrary to the will of God. Additionally, the homosexuality is condemned in the Bible and by Church Fathers. Is there a common place between traditional and modern values? How can religious people face these new “values”?
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The traces of Blessed Ramon Llull in Sermo IV and Sermo CXCIII of Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa
Manuel ORTUÑO ARREGUI
Original title: Las huellas del beato Ramon Llull en el Sermo IV y Sermo CXCIII del cardenal Nicolás de Cusa
Published in Games from Antiquity to Baroque
Keywords: Faith and Reason, Nicholas of Cusa, Ramon Llull, Sermons.
The aim of this paper has been to present some features of the relationship between Faith and Reason based on the interest of Nicholas of Cusa (1401-1464) in the work of Ramon Llull (1232-1316). Specifically, we have focused on two of his sermons: Sermo IV: “Fides autem catholica”, and Sermo X: “Beati mundo corde”, which represent an indisputable example of the lulian traces in the conception of the relationship between Faith and Reason in the work of the Cusan. In his analysis we discover the use of two foundations: on the one hand, the quotation of Isaiah 7, 9 to reaffirm the idea that faith is the beginning of science; and on the other hand, the use of the analogy of water and oil, which was already recognized in patristic authors, and which was generalized by St. Augustine. Augustine. In short, we can see an evolution of his thought from his youth (Sermo IV) to his maturity (Sermo X), which undoubtedly leads to the confirmation of Nicholas of Cusa's adherence to the model of lulian thought in the dialogue Faith and Reason.
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Aspects in Boethius (480-524) and his use of topical arguments and hypothetical syllogisms
Luana Talita da CRUZ
Original title: Aspectos lógicos em Boécio (480-524) e seu uso de argumentos tópicos e silogismos hipotéticos
Published in Games from Antiquity to Baroque
Keywords: Boethius, Hypothetical Syllogisms, Medieval Logic, Topical Arguments.
This paper intends to draw attention to logical aspects to be found in Boethius’s works. Our intention is to highlight a connection between topical arguments and hypothetical syllogisms as well as the way Boethius uses a logical approach as the foundation of his philosophical arguments in treatises other than his commentaries on specific logical theories.
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Play, bullfight and society in the mausoleum of Augustus (Rome): 16th-18th centuries
José Antonio GONZÁLEZ ALCANTUD
Original title: Juego, toros y sociedad en el mausoleo de Augusto (Roma): siglos XVI-XVIII
Published in Games from Antiquity to Baroque
Keywords: 17th century, Bullfighting, Games, Giostra, Mausoleum of Augustus.
The Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome was a funerary and sacred space, which in the Middle Ages evolved into a defensive space, and in the Modern Age into a place that hosted games and shows, particularly bullfighting and chivalry (giostra). It reached its zenith at the end of the 18th century. However, its archaeological component, however, prevented the "naturalization" of game and place, as in some Roman amphitheatres in southern France, or as a spectacle, as in the case of the opera in the arena of Verona. Today, nothing reminds us of its popular past as an amphitheatre in Corea, home of Roman amusements.
