Dr. J. Glenn Friesen

Herman Dooyeweerd:
De Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee

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De Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee Volume I
Foreword
Introduction
Ground-Idea
Foundation
Law-Idea
Prism of Cosmic Time
Law and Subject
Philosophy/Worldview

De Wijsbegeerte der Wetsidee Volume II
The Gegenstand
Dis-stasis/ Synthesis
Intuition and Time
Conceptual Limits
Horizon and Levels
God, Self and Cosmos

© J. Glenn Friesen 2003-2005

Notes regarding WdW I, 69

1. Corresponds to NC I, 104.

2. It is interesting that Dooyeweerd regards the word 'religion' as deriving from 'religio' in the sense of a joining of meaning. This assumes an etymology of the word from 're-ligare, ' meaning "to link back" (suggested by Lactantius in his Divinae Institutiones) and not "re-legere" (suggested by Cicero in his De natura deoram). Lactantius derived the word 'religion' from 'religare.' He said it meant the reunion of man with God. This reconciliation included the three ideas of an original unity, a separation by sin, and a restoration of the unity again.

It is commonly supposed that C.G. Jung followed the etymology of 'religare,' but in fact he disputes this. He derives the word 'religion' from 'relegare,' or 'religare,' meaning careful observation and taking account of the numinous. See letter from C.G. Jung to Pastor Tanner of Feb. 12, 1959, Letters, Gerhard Adler (Princeton, 1973), Vol. II, p. 484. Cited in Edward F. Edinger: The New God-Image (Wilmette, Ill.: Chiron, 1996), p. 35.

3 . ipse dixit: “Because I say so.”

4. Creaturely meaning and the Being of the Arché are not on the same level. This is a definite ontology, and despite Dooyeweerd's protests, it is a metaphysical view of the Origin. That does not mean it is not correct. It does mean that Dooyeweerd cannot avoid a metaphysics, either.

Revised March 25/05