Alcune note critiche sull'interpretazione cusaniana di Hans Blumenberg

Hans Blumenberg’s interpretation of Nicholas of Cusa (in Die Legitimität der Neuzeit) shows a basic error, which lies in his application of a different and a priori conceptual scheme to Cusa’s theory, which leads to a misinterpretation. The present paper explains this idea starting with the themes of both incarnation and providence (as developed in De docta ignorantia), before moving on to the issues of the lack of motivation in human existence, voluntarism and orientation within the world. The contrast between Blumenberg’s and Karl Löwith’s views on the legitimacy of the modern age can be read in the light of Cusa’s thinking; this is also a good starting point to look at the different meanings (cosmic, personal, salvific) of the concept of time within it. The coexistence of all of these instances is made possible, according to Cusa, by the figure of Christ who, as both Absolute and Contracted Maximum, is far removed from playing a secondary role as argued by Blumenberg (a mere consequence of the Creation), representing rather its keystone.