An Introduction to Christian Philosophy

Compiled by P. F. Ribeiro

“To philosophy is to discern the structure of creation and to describe systematically, i.e., in logical order, what is subject to the structure. (H. Dooyerweered, Cosmonomic Idea, 55:94)”

Aspects of the created reality

Aspects	Meaning
Arithmetic (numerical)	Discrete quantity (number)
Spatial	Continuos extension
Kinematics	Motion
Physical	Energy
Biotic	Life
Sensitive	Feeling
Logical	Distinction
Historical	Formative power
Lingual	Symbolic meaning
Social	Social intercourse
Economic	Management of scarce goods
Aesthetic	Harmony
Juridical	Retribution (recompensing)
Moral	Love
Pistic	Faith, firm assurance

According to Dooyeweerd these aspects can be observed in everything that exists in temporal / created reality.

An Example - Let us test that assertion by looking at a tulip, proceeding from the numerical aspect to the faith aspect (from L. Kalsbeek, Contours of a Christian Philosophy).

I hold a single tulip in my hand and immediately discover its arithmetic aspect without even having to count; but should I wish to examine the flower more closely, I can discover a certain number of leaves on the stem, of petals on the flower, or of stamens within it. if I try to plant the flower in a pot, I realize that it takes up a very specific amount of space (spatial aspect). The molecular movement present in the plant points to the kinetic aspect

My basic knowledge of botany tells me that the plant feeds and breathes, pointing to what Dooyeweerd calls physically and chemically qualified phenomena. The slow death of the flower in the garden or its rapid death in my living room displays the organic phenomena of life. I can see the flower and touch it, which is only possible because of its sensitive aspect. Again, the tulip is subject to human analysis. Hence, the tulip functions in the analytic or logical aspect.

If I am interested enough to do a little research, I can discover the historical aspect in the lengthy cultivation of this beautiful garden plant from its ancestor, the wild tulip. Furthermore, the plant does not just exist; I can talk about it with names which recreate my experience with it for people who have never seen it. It has a lingual aspect. It also has a social aspect because it helps transform drab areas into beautiful parks which draw human beings together for a Sunday afternoon picnic or a political rally. Although the bulb grower is more conscious of the flower’s economic aspect than most, I too realize its value when I spend part of my week's wages on my garden. When the grower quotes me different prices for different kinds of plants, I run up against the flower's aesthetic aspect: the more beautiful the color and form, the higher the value.

Once I own the flower, the juridical aspect becomes very important because only I can decide its fate, and I can call for legal protection against people who would steal or damage my plant. The love and care devoted to cultivating a fine plant suggest the moral aspect. Although the dirt under my nails and the pulled muscle in my back provide proof that a great deal of human intervention has gone into the plant's growth, I see this growth as the creation of God. My neighbor, however, considers it a refined product of an evolutionary process. As different as our convictions are, we both ground them in a particular faith.