中世纪哲学对天国的诸种解释及其内在张力

The Various interpretations of Heaven in Medieval Philosophy and Its Internal Tension

从中世纪哲学对“天国”这一极具争议性的神哲学概念提出的诸种解释中,常常可以窥见基督教信仰为它们预设的两大信仰前提之间的张力,即一方面想要说明灵魂相对于身体的优越性及其独立于身体而存在的可能性,另一方面又难以完全否定身体的价值及其与灵魂的统一性。通过分析上述两大信仰前提在中世纪哲学对“天国”的诸种解释中的体现及其导致的理论困境,我们将进一步发现,源自奥古斯丁和阿奎那等人的综合性解释何以能逐渐取代那些纯粹灵性化的或物理化的解释,而最终成为中世纪哲学的正统解释并对后世基督教哲学产生更加深远的影响。

From the various interpretations of Medieval Philosophy on the controversial concept of“Kingdom of Heaven”,we can often see the tension between the two belief preconditions preset by Christian belief,that is,on the one hand,they have to explain the superiority of the soul relative to the body and the possibility of its existence independent of the body,on the other hand,it is difficult to completely deny the value of the body and its unity with the soul.By analyzing the embodiment of the above two belief preconditions in the various interpretations of the“Kingdom of heaven”in medieval philosophy and the theoretical dilemma caused by them,we will further find out why the comprehensive interpretation from Augustine and Aquinas will gradually replace those purely spiritual or physical interpretations,and finally become the orthodox interpretation of Medieval Philosophy and have a far-reaching impact on later Christian philosophy.