Metaphysics of Light. Journey Through Theology, Philosophy, and Art.
- Yuriy Shevchenko
- Dec 29, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 23, 2024
The Origin of the Term
The term “metaphysics,” derived from the Greek (μετά – "after" or "beyond" – and φυσικά – "natural"), explores the fundamental nature of reality, including the relationships between mind and matter, substance and attribute, and potentiality and actuality. Its origin lies in a quest for deeper understanding, which continues to captivate thinkers and scholars.
But what about the term “light”? The German Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher first explored light in his 1646 book The Great Art of Light and Shadow. It symbolizes much more than a physical phenomenon; it bridges disciplines, philosophies, and interpretations of existence.
What is Light?
Physically, light is electromagnetic radiation detectable by the human eye, spanning wavelengths from approximately 700 nanometers (red) to 400 nanometers (violet). But this definition feels incomplete.
But what if there are no humans to see it? Does light cease to exist?
This question parallels a classic metaphysical inquiry: If creatures capable of perceiving meaning disappear, does meaning itself vanish? These questions open the door to profound exploration:
Why are metaphors of light central to theology, philosophy, and mysticism?
Why is light—and its "solidification" in color—so integral to artistic expression?
I. Theological, philosophical, and mystical
understanding of light.
Theological: Light as Divine Presence
The Bible opens with the proclamation:
"And God said: Let there be light. And there was light."(Genesis 1:3)
Theologians interpret this not only as the creation of physical light but as the emergence of divine essence.
Robert Grosseteste, a 13th-century English theologian, proposed that this first light contained all the primordial matter and meaning of the universe. From a single point, light expanded to create the diversity of existence, much like how light reveals colors to the human eye.
This "light of creation" symbolizes divine wisdom—the source of all meaning and unity.
Philosophical: Light as a Metaphor for Truth and Existence
Plato compared the world of ideas to flashes of light:
"Ideas are light-like."
For Plato, light symbolized true being and cognition, enabling us to distinguish objects and their meanings. He likened the sun in the visible world to the "Good" in the world of ideas, emphasizing light as a metaphor for clarity, knowledge, and truth.
Plato
(428/427 – 348/347 BC) an Athenian philosopher during the Classical period in Ancient Greece, founder of the Platonic school of thought, and the Academy, the first institution of high education in the Western world.
Plotinus, a Neoplatonist philosopher, expanded on this metaphor, describing the "One"—the source of all existence—as an eternal, unchanging light:
"The One eternally shines, remaining unchanged beyond the intelligible."
Plotinus
(c. 204 – 270)
Neoplatonist, the major Hellenistic philosopher who lived in Roman Egypt
Immanuel Kant later adapted this concept, associating light with Schein (appearance) as the bridge between perception and reality. René Descartes also employed the metaphor of light, advocating for clear and distinct thought (clairement et distinctement).
Mysticism: Light as Inner Illumination
In mystical traditions, the soul's journey is described as enlightenment—a movement toward unity and simplicity. Plotinus vividly illustrated this process:
"Imagine a living, transparent sphere playing with multicolored rays... the mind illuminates the entire space of this noumenal world."
Similarly, Saint Augustine viewed the soul’s ascent as an inward journey to find divine light:
"I entered my very depths... and saw the eye of my soul above my spirit, an unchanging Light."
This light, he argued, represents our true identity and connection to God—a reflection of divine truth within us.
Augustine of Hippo also known as Saint Augustine
(c. 354 – 430)
Dante, in The Divine Comedy, also depicted divine light as transformative, a symbol of God’s grace illuminating the soul.
Dionysius the Areopagite described light as the ultimate unifier, stating:
"Mental light collects, unites, and turns the soul toward Truly Existing, filling it with a single unifying light."
Dionysius the Areopagite
1st century AD
II. Light in Art: Solidified Light in Glass
The interplay between light and materiality finds its most vivid expression in art. Medieval thinker John Scotus Eriugena, a translator of Dionysius, argued that material things guide the soul toward divine truth:
"The human darkened mind rises to Truth through material things."
John Scotus Eriugena
(c. 800 - c. 877)
Irish theologian, Neoplatonist philosopher, and poet
Glass, as a material, exemplifies this principle. It acts as a "solidified light," manifesting divine qualities through:
Transmitting light, revealing objects beyond,
Reflecting light, creating vivid images, and
Refracting light, producing intricate patterns and colors.
When illuminated, glass becomes alive, symbolizing the divine interplay between matter and spirit. As Eriugena wrote:
"Every being, visible or invisible, is a light called to life by the Father of all light."
Artists have long recognized this potential, using glass and other mediums to reflect spiritual truths. From medieval stained glass windows to contemporary installations, light serves as both subject and medium, symbolizing the divine source of all beauty.
Conclusion
Light, in its many forms, transcends physicality to embody truth, unity, and divinity. Whether in theology, philosophy, mysticism, or art, it symbolizes humanity's search for meaning and understanding.
By contemplating light, we engage with the essence of existence, drawing closer to the divine.
What truths will light reveal to you?
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