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Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (5th or 6th Century A.D.)
(sometimes referred to as Denys the Areopagite)
Pseudo-Dionysius was long believed to have been St. Paul’s Athenian convert, Dionysius the Areopagite, mentioned in Acts 17:43. However, the presence, in the writings attributed to him, of concepts and categories derived from the 5th century Neoplatonic philosopher Proclus gradually led to a re-evaluation of this mysterious writer’s identity, and so he became known as Pseudo-Dionysius. We can say nothing certain about his life or identity, for we only know his works. These are: The Mystical Theology, The Divine Names, The Celestial Hierarchy, The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, and ten epistles. In these treatises Pseudo-Dionysius develops his apophatic or negative theology, which was to have an immense influence on Christian mysticism in the East and West.
For more information about Pseudo-Dionysius, consult the following articles:
Lamarre, Mark, "Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite," in J. Fieser, B. Dowden, ed., The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Stiglmayr, Jos., "Dionysius the Pseudo-Areopagite," in The Catholic Encyclopedia.
For a complete English translation of Pseudo-Dionysius’ works, see the following volume:
Luibheid, Colm, tr. Pseudo-Dionysius: The Complete Works (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1987).
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