Aleksandar Djakovac: Soul according to St Maximus the Confessor: Entity or Person?

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that there are two lines of argument regarding the soul in Maximus the Confessor, which derive from the Neoplatonic tradition and the tradition of the Cappadocian Fathers respectively. The paper argues that by relying on the Neoplatonic tradition, Maximus perceives the soul as an entity. This claim is substantiated with the passages in Maximus’ works in which he understands the soul as incorporeal, in the manner of Plotinus, and as self-substantial (authupostatos), in the manner of Proclus. The paper argues further that Maximus’ understanding of the soul is also shaped by the Cappadocian conception of person. Finally the paper analyzes Maximus’ not so successful attempts to reconcile these two diametrically opposed views on the soul.