Emanationism

For other uses, see Emanation (disambiguation).

Emanationism is a theory in the cosmology or cosmogony of certain religious and philosophical systems, that posits the concept of emanation. According to this theory, emanation, from the Latin emanare meaning "to flow from" or "to pour forth or out of", is the mode by which all existing things are derived from a 'first reality', or first principle. In the emanationist concept all things are derived from this first reality or perfect God, by consecutive steps of degradation, to a lower degree of this first reality or God: at every consecutive step the emanating beings are less pure, less perfect, less divine. Emanationism posits a transcendent principle from which everything is derived, as opposed to creationism, that considers the universe to be created by a sentient God who is separate from creation, and to materialism, which posits no underlying subjective and/or ontological nature behind phenomena, all phenomena being considered immanent.

Origins

The primary classical exponent of emanationism was the neoplatonic philosopher Plotinus, who in his Enneads described all things phenomenal and otherwise as an emanation (Greek: ἀπορροή aporrhoe (Ennead ΙΙ.3.2) or ἀπόρροια aporrhoia (II.3.11)) from the One (ἕν, hen). In 5.1.6, emanationism is compared to a diffusion from the One, of which there are three primary hypostases, the One, the Intellect (νοῦς, nous), and the Soul (ψυχή, psyche).

See also

• Aeon – Class of being in Gnosticism
• Anathem – 2008 science fiction novel by Neal Stephenson
• Emanation in the Eastern Orthodox Church – Neoplatonic belief
• Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion – Prophetic book by William Blake
• Panentheism – Belief that the divine pervades all of space and time and also extends beyond it

Further reading

• Low, Colin (2004). "Emanation & Ascent in Hermetic Kabbalah" (PDF). Presentation and notes on emanation and the roots of Hermetic Kabbalah.