The Transcendent Prerequisite of Thought

The Knowledge of God in Piero Martinetti’s Reflection

Abstract

The paper discusses the different meanings of the notion of ‘transcendence’ in Piero Martinetti’s main metaphysical works, focusing on the chief distinction between epistemological and ontological transcendence. In particular, the epistemological status of the ontological transcendence as a necessary prerequisite of thought is explored. Finally, the article analyzes Martinetti’s interpretation of the traditional proofs of the existence of God, assumed as expressions of this necessary prequisite – thus showing the influence that John Caird’s An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion had on Martinetti.