The making of the self : ancient and modern asceticism / Richard Valantasis.

Author
Valantasis, Richard, 1946- [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Cambridge, U.K. : James Clarke & Co., 2008.
Description
1 online resource (xxi, 314 pages)

Availability

Available Online

Details

Subject(s)
Summary note
A leading scholar of ascetical studies, Richard Valantasis explores a variety of ascetical traditions ranging from the Greco-Roman philosophy of Musonius Rufus, the asceticism found in the Nag Hammadi Library and in certain Gnostic texts, the Gospel of Thomas, and other early Christian texts. This collection gathers historical and theoretical essays develop a theory of asceticism that informs the analysis of historical texts and opens the way for postmodern ascetical studies. Wideranging in historical scope and in developing theory, these essays address asceticism for scholar and student alike.
Bibliographic references
Includes bibliographical references (pages 299-314).
Source of description
Description based on print version record.
Contents
  • A theory of the social function of asceticism
  • Constructions of power in asceticism
  • Asceticism as a sacred marriage : eastern and western theories
  • Asceticism or formation : theorizing asceticism after Nietzsche
  • A theory of asceticism, revised
  • Uncovering Adam's esoteric body
  • Daemons and the perfecting of the monk's body
  • Ascetical withdrawal and the second letter of Basil the Great
  • Is the Gospel of Thomas ascetical?
  • Competing ascetic subjectivities in the letter to the Galatians
  • Nag Hammadi and asceticism : theory and practice
  • Demons, adversaries, devils, fisherman : the asceticism of Authoritative Teaching (NHL, VI, 3) in Roman perspective
  • Musonius Rufus and Roman ascetical theory.
ISBN
  • 9780227903278 ((electronic bk.))
  • 0227903277 ((electronic bk.))
OCLC
707332314
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