Play As a Mystical Practice of the Soul Moving Toward Itself in the Writings of Nicolaus Cusanus

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of play culture in the works of the German thinker, philosopher, and religious leader of the 15th century Nichiolas of Cusa, the author of the book “De ludo globi” which influenced both the representatives of the German classical philosophy and literature (Goethe, F. Schlegel) and the Russian cultural figures (Vl. Solovyov). The cardinal’s desire to solve theosophical problems with the help of exact sciences and his focus on mathematical symbols determines the specific nature of play semantics in his works. In the conversation with his interlocutors in the book Nicholas of Cusa seeks to cultivate the highest stage of human understanding in them, the mystical transintelligent contemplation, by explaining the rules and the purposes of the game. The book is the cardinal’s attempt of comprehending reality through philosophy; he uses play to teach the human mind the philosophical understanding of the cosmos, life, and God. Play symbolizes the spiritual aspirations and cognitive abilities of a person, facilitates the search for identity and the moral formation of the personality, and stimulates the spiritual and intellectual growth. In the conversation with his interlocutors Nicholas of Cusa tries to clarify the symbolic and mystical meaning of play bringing them to the understanding of play as a phenomenon of human existence. The bowling game created by the philosopher serves as an allegorical explanation of the secrets of the Universe, the relationships between people, God and the Infinite, and draws a parallel between the creative act of a man and the actions of God.

References

1. Bibihin V.V. 2000–2001. N. Kuzanskiy [N. Kuzanskiy]. Novaya filosofskaya enciklopediya: v 4-h tt Moscow, Mysl’. (In Russ.).

2. Gajdenko P.P. 1979. Obosnovanie nauchnogo znaniya v filosofii Platona [Substantiation of scientific knowledge in the philosophy of Plato]. Platon i ego epoha. K 2400-letiyu so dnya rozhdeniya. Moscow, pp. 98–144. (In Russ).

3. German Gesse. 1969. Igra v biser [The Glass Bead Game]. Moscow, Hudozhestvennaya literature. URL: http://lib.ru/GESSE/biser.txt (accessed: 03.04.2020). (In Russ.)

4. Istoriya dialektiki XIV–XVIII vekov. 1974. [The history of dialectics of 14-18 centuries] Moscow, Mysl’, pp. 35–51. URL: http://istmat.info/files/uploads/37139/dialektika_1974.pdf (accessed: 03.04.2020). (In Russ.)

5. Nicholas of Cusa. 2012. Igra v shar. O videnii Boga. [De ludo globi. De visione Dei]. Predislovie M.A. Hor’kova. Moscow, Akademicheskij Proekt, 161 pp. (In Russ.)

6. Losev A.F. 2016. Nikolay Kuzanskij v perevodah i kommentariyah [Nicholay Kuzanskiy in translations and comments]. In 2 vol. Vol. 1. Moscow, Izdatel’skij dom YASK. (In Russ.)

7. Pavlovskaya A.V. 2019. Unity in diversity: a typology of festive and ceremonial culture of the peoples of the world. From the Neolithic to the present day. Moscow State University Bulletin. Series 19: Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, no. 2, pp. 63–78. (In Russ.)

8. Fal‘kenberg R. 2018. Istoriya novoj filosofii. Ot Nikolaya Kuzanskogo do Kanta [The history of a new philosophy. From Nicholay Kuzanskiy to Kant]. Moscow, Knizhnyj dom “LIBROKOM”. (In Russ.)

9. Fink Ojgen. 2017. Osnovnye fenomeny chelovecheskogo bytiya [The basic phenomena of human being]. Moscow, Kanon+ ROOI “Reabilitaciya”. URL: https://www.litmir.me/br/?b=70823&p=1 (accessed: 03.04.2020). (In Russ.)