St. Basil the Great's Distinction from Ancient Philosophy and its Overcoming in the Distinction between Being and Hypostasis

St. Basil the Great's Distinction from Ancient Philosophy and its Overcoming in the Distinction between Being and Hypostasis

13 October 2023

The dependence of Saint Basil the Great on ancient philosophy in the distinction between being and hypostasis has been a long held claim in modern Western theology. The new orientations in current Western theology have changed the attitude towards this problem, changing the approach as well. The tendency remained, however, to attribute this distinction to a system. In Eastern theology, a theological approach is needed in which to see a delimitation of Saint Basil with respect to ancient philosophy and at the same time overcoming it in the distinction between being and hypostasis by concentration on the reality of hypostasis in the relationship with being and at the same time in its distinction with being, as we learn in the teaching of Saint Basil about the Holy Trinity and about man. By this we show that Saint Basil is not tributary to any ancient philosophical system.