Dichotomy

Dichotomy (Greek: διχότομος dichótomos "cut into two branches", derived from δίχα dicha "divided into two, separated" and τομος tomos "cut") generally refers to a structure consisting of two separate, complementary parts. In the spiritual-scientific sense, it means in particular the division of the human being into soul and body. The independent spirit of the human being, which is included in its true trichotomy, is denied and only the soul is attributed some spiritual qualities. Dichotomy was introduced into confessional Christian doctrine with the Fourth Council of Constantinople (869) and trichotomy has since been regarded as heresy. In contrast, in esoteric Christianity, as taught by the Rosicrucians, for example, the trichotomy into body, soul and spirit is still regarded as the true threefold structure of the human being.

„And down on earth itself, the Fathers of the Church gathered in Constantinople for the eighth general ecumenical council and adopted the dogma that man does not consist of body, soul and spirit, but only of body and soul, and that the soul has some spiritual qualities. The trichotomy - that's what they called it, that man consists of body, soul and spirit -, the trichotomy was abolished. Anyone who continued to believe in it in Europe became a heretic. The Christian fathers in Europe avoided at all costs ever speaking of the trichotomy, of body, soul and spirit, but spoke only of body and soul.“ (Lit.:GA 240, p. 300f)

Literature

• Rudolf Steiner: Esoterische Betrachtungen karmischer Zusammenhänge. Sechster Band, GA 240 (1992), ISBN 3-7274-2401-X English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org

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