Dr. J. Glenn Friesen

Studies relating to Herman Dooyeweerd Linked Glossary of Terms

© J. Glenn Friesen 2003-2005

Linked Glossary of Terms
(references to De Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee, unless indicated. See concordance for correlation with pages in the New Critique. The concordance is in pdf format.)

Dooyeweerd frequently uses the word 'Ground,' as in "Ground-Motive." The NC often translates this as 'basic.' I think that 'Ground' is much better. Dooyeweerd says that Ground-Motives are chosen in our religious Center.

Our Ground is that which is at the foundation of our thought and of our temporal experience. We experience the Ground in the foundational direction, as opposed to the transcendental direction which anticipates our supratemporal fulfillment.

Baader says that the Center is the starting point [Ausgangspunkt] of an organism. In this Center, the individual limbs lie in an undifferentiated state (in potentia). It is our Ground, as distinct from the Urgrund (the hidden One that first by involution becomes the Center in order to then evolve with and in this Center (Werke 4, 214). Our existence relates to a coming forth [Hervorgehens], to a Ground (Begründung 26, 29).

Revised Dec. 27/04