Genealogical and religio-philosophical research on the faith of Western European mysticism in early modern times

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K13339
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Religious studies
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo (2019-2020); Tenri University (2017-2018)
• Principal Investigator: WATANABE Yu 東京大学, 大学院人文社会系研究科(文学部), 准教授 (40736857)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 神秘主義 / フランス神秘主義 / スペイン神秘主義 / 魂の根底 / 暗夜 / 信仰 / 十字架のヨハネ / ジャン=ジョゼフ・スュラン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Conventional studies and popular understandings of mysticism have generally placed emphasis on "(mystical) experience. In this study, however, I have clarified the importance of the theory of "faith" as the subject of early modern Western European "mysticism," which flourished especially in 16th century Spain and 17th century France. Furthermore, with the theory of faith as its axis, I have given a certain perspective on the transformation of mysticism (thought and practice surrounding it) from the Middle Ages to the contemporary period. By doing so, I placed mysticism in the context of a broader history of thought and philosophy, and showed a new perspective that reexamine the understanding of religion in the modern West.
I have published several academic papers as well as books for the general public, dealing mainly with John of the Cross, Surin, Madame Guyon, and Certeau.

Free Research Field

宗教学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

「神秘主義」は、19世紀以来の宗教学の歴史において最も重要な主題のひとつであり、「宗教とは何か」という問いに答えるための特別な研究領域とみなされてきた。だからこそ、従来の神秘主義理解を問いなおすことは、私たちの宗教理解をより深く豊かにする契機となりうる。本研究は、これまでの「体験」中心主義的な神秘主義理解に対して、神という他者を希う「信仰」に神秘主義の核心を認め、その信仰論が歴史のなかでどう展開してきたか、従来見落とされてきた思想史の一側面に光を当てた。
その結果得られた成果は、非合理的・非理性的なものとみなされがちな神秘主義を、把握し難い他者を希求する「別様の知」として捉えなおすことを促す。