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'''Eternity''' is usually thought to mean everlastingness. However, in the course of philosophical discussion the idea has been further refined, and two different concepts were developed--that of "atemporality", which is beyond time, and that of "sempiternity", which denotes infinity in time.<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/eternity/Ety# Eternity] at Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</ref> | '''Eternity''' is usually thought to mean everlastingness. However, in the course of philosophical discussion the idea has been further refined, and two different concepts were developed--that of "atemporality", which is beyond time, and that of "sempiternity", which denotes infinity in time.<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/eternity/Ety# Eternity] at Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</ref> | ||
The English word "eternal" derives from the Latin term ''aevum'', "an age or era". This does not seem to convey neither the idea of atemporality nor of sempiternity, but of a specific cycle of time. The same is the case with the Greek word ''Aeon'', meaning a finite period of time, which [[H. P. Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] claims is the original term that has been translated as "Eternity" in the Bible.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, ???), 308.</ref> The word "eternal" is usually applied | The English word "eternal" derives from the Latin term ''aevum'', "an age or era". This does not seem to convey neither the idea of atemporality nor of sempiternity, but of a specific cycle of time. The same is the case with the Greek word ''Aeon'', meaning a finite period of time, which [[H. P. Blavatsky|Mme. Blavatsky]] claims is the original term that has been translated as "Eternity" in the Bible.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, ???), 308.</ref> The word "eternal" is usually applied in this way in the Theosophical literature: | ||
<blockquote>The word “Eternal,” note well again, standing here only in the sense of “Æon,” as lasting throughout the seemingly interminable, but still limited cycle of activity, called by us Manvantara.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 63.</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>The word “Eternal,” note well again, standing here only in the sense of “Æon,” as lasting throughout the seemingly interminable, but still limited cycle of activity, called by us Manvantara.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 63.</ref></blockquote> | ||
Revision as of 15:28, 11 May 2012
Eternity is usually thought to mean everlastingness. However, in the course of philosophical discussion the idea has been further refined, and two different concepts were developed--that of "atemporality", which is beyond time, and that of "sempiternity", which denotes infinity in time.[1]
The English word "eternal" derives from the Latin term aevum, "an age or era". This does not seem to convey neither the idea of atemporality nor of sempiternity, but of a specific cycle of time. The same is the case with the Greek word Aeon, meaning a finite period of time, which Mme. Blavatsky claims is the original term that has been translated as "Eternity" in the Bible.[2] The word "eternal" is usually applied in this way in the Theosophical literature:
The word “Eternal,” note well again, standing here only in the sense of “Æon,” as lasting throughout the seemingly interminable, but still limited cycle of activity, called by us Manvantara.[3]
According to H. P. Blavatsky, this is also the way Eastern thought treats the concept of "eternity":
Eternity with the Orientals has quite another signification than it has with us. It stands generally for the 100 years or "age" of Brahma, the duration of a Kalpa or a period of 4,320,000,000 years.[4]
In the Theosophical view time is always limited and begins with the manifestation<><>, which denies the idea of sempiternity. As to that of "atemporality" Mme. Blavatsky refers to it as "duration"[5]
Notes
- ↑ Eternity at Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, ???), 308.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. I, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 63.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, "The Voice of the Silence" Glossary to Part 1 (???), ???.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. X (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, ???), 308.
Further reading
- Eternity at Theosopedia