ONTOTHEOLOGY AND MOSAIC DISTINCTION: BRINGING HEIDEGGER AND ASSMANN TOGETHER

Abstract

Despite differences in background and method, both the philosopher Heidegger and the Egyptologist Assmann discuss the relationship between reli­gion and truth. Neither is a professional philosopher of religion. For Assmann, the notion of true religion arises from the traumatic transition from polytheism to monotheism, with what he calls the Mosaic distinction. For Heidegger, reli­gions that aspire to an absolute truth furthermore define what is a philosophical ground and justification. The philosophical concept of truth arises from the encounter between ontology and theology, even where theology is denounced. Christianity entered into a relationship of reciprocal reaffirmation with ontology. The question arises whether something similar o ontotheology exists outside Greek philosophy. According to Jan Assmann, the Jewish canon announces the principle of the excluded middle, even though it does not offer an ontology.

Keywords: Ground. Truth. Metaphysics. Monotheism.