Piznaj samoho sebe: Neoplatonični džerela v tvorčosti H.S. Skovorody

The book presents a comprehensive overview of Skovoroda’s contribution to Christianized Neoplatonism and Byzantine ascetic literature. Central to my analysis is the complex relationship between Neoplatonic theology and patristic mysticism. Skovoroda’s textual and philosophical universe, I suggest in the Introduction, can be conceptualized according to the tripartite division, originated within Eastern Christian spirituality, of Christian life into praxis, gnosis and theoria. Praxis (i.e. action) is the struggle against sin and temptation, whereas gnosis includes both self-knowledge and knowledge of the objects of the world. The latter is a task that can be performed only by a purifi ed mind, hence its positioning after praxis in the path to spiritual perfection. Theoria, or contemplation of God, represents the final step of this ascension path.