Emanation

Concept in philosophy and metaphysics

Emanation is a concept in philosophy and metaphysics that describes the process by which all things are derived from the first reality or principle. The term has been used in various religious and philosophical systems, including Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, and Kabbalah.

Overview

Emanation is often contrasted with creation ex nihilo, which is the belief that the universe was created out of nothing by a divine being. In contrast, emanation suggests that the universe and all things within it flow out from a single, original source. This source is often considered to be a perfect, unchanging, and infinite reality.

Neoplatonism

In Neoplatonism, emanation is a central concept. The philosopher Plotinus described the process of emanation in his work, the Enneads. According to Plotinus, everything emanates from the One, which is the ultimate reality and source of all existence. The One is beyond all attributes and is the cause of all things. From the One emanates the Nous (Divine Mind), and from the Nous emanates the World Soul, which in turn gives rise to the material world.

Gnosticism

In Gnosticism, emanation is used to describe the process by which the divine realm produces various spiritual entities. These entities, known as aeons, emanate from the Monad, the highest and most transcendent being. The aeons are often arranged in pairs and form a complex hierarchy that ultimately leads to the material world.

Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, emanation is described through the concept of the Sefirot. The Sefirot are ten attributes or emanations through which the Ein Sof (the infinite and unknowable God) reveals itself and continuously creates both the physical and metaphysical realms. The Sefirot are arranged in a specific order and are interconnected, forming a structure known as the Tree of Life.

Related Concepts

Emanation is related to several other philosophical and religious concepts, including:

• Creation ex nihilo
• Pantheism
• Panentheism
• Divine simplicity
• Monad (philosophy)

See Also

• Neoplatonism
• Plotinus
• Gnosticism
• Kabbalah
• Sefirot
• Creation ex nihilo
• Pantheism
• Panentheism
• Divine simplicity
• Monad (philosophy)