[The Imaginary Dimension of the Real According to the Theory of Complexity by Pavel A. Florensky (1882 – 1937)]

Abstract: Having for many years the theme of “complex thought” as developed by Pavel Florensky at the centre of his philosophical and theological research interest, the author of the article highlights an important aspect of complexity, namely, the imaginary dimension as a structural part of reality. First of all, he shows how Florensky, famous Russian mathematician, physicist, electro-technical engineer, philosopher and theologian, comes to explain the existence of the imaginary dimension starting from his original interpretation of Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, made with reference to Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. Consequently, he explains that the existence of this dimension coincides with the existence of a general predisposition of every human being to the experience of the “imaginary” as a door towards the “mysterious depths” of reality, the depths that in many cases tend to manifest themselves. Christian theology and spirituality help to know and experience exactly this kind of complexity of reality, glimpsing its vital and dynamic connection with the Trinitarian being of God.

Authors: Žák, Ľubomír

DOI: 10.17846/CL.2021.14.2.191-204

Publication order reference: prof. ThDr. Ľubomír Žák; Pontificia Università Lateranense, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City State; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Palacký University Olomouc, Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, Univerzitní 22, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: Konštatínove listy, 2021, vol.: 14, issue: 2, pages: 191-204 (PDF file)

Keywords: RUSSIAN THOUGHT, THEORY OF COMPLEXITY, IMAGINARY SPACE, DANTE ALIGHIERI, ALBERT EINSTEIN, GENERAL RELATIVITY, FAITH AND RAISON

Language: ITALIAN