Böcker av Raphael

Originally published in 1955, this book covers most of the problems of moral philosophy but concentrates on two of them: the criterion of right action and the nature of moral judgment. Rejecting Utilitarianism, it shows how principles of moral obligation may be unified under Kant's formula of treating people as ends-in-themselves. This formula is interpreted in terms of a new, naturalistic theory of moral obligation. Throughout the book the social reference of ethics is emphasized and moral obligation is discussed in relation to rights, justice, liberty and equality.

First published in 1978 in its ltalian as La Filosofia dell’Essere, ‘The Philosophy of Being’, and later as Quale Democrazia?, ‘What Kind of Democracy?’,  this work by Raphael now has an importance and topicality that are remarkably relevant to the particular world-situation facing humanity today.This revised version is addressed to those readers who are looking for a socio-political life-style inspired by ethical principles which can provide peace and justice for all nations.The sub-title ‘A conception of life for coming out of the turmoil of individuai and social conflict’ receives ample confirmation in the topics that are dealt with in the book.During this discussion between Raphael and people of various ideological persuasions some fundamental questions arose. Can politics, as generally understood, solve the individual’s problems? Are political ideologies, in their fundamental motivations, truly valid?Can there be such a thing as a political Philosophy capable of meeting the individual’s psycho-spiritual needs as well as the contingent, material needs of social politics?Raphael’s answers may help readers to clarify, for themselves first of all and then in the social field, what might be the basic principles from which norms and ethics should draw inspiration in order to effect ‘a good Government’.         

 Non-dualism, dualism, monism, the Real and the unreal, Parmenides and his vision, Advaita Vedanta, metaphysical Realization: these are just some of the topics covered by Raphael in a series of writings couched in the form of questions and answers and gathered together in this volume. It constitutes a valid means of approach to the most important issues ever discussed by philosophers and seekers of the truth: Being and non-being, the One and the many, the Absolute and the relative.This Pathway of Non-Duality (Advaitavada) provides an answer to the apparently rational doubts and contradictions that are expressed both in the realm of philosophy and in the realm of science, which focuses nowadays on discovering a constant or law which will serve as the foundation for every branch of scientific knowledge.Having realized the Unity of the Tradition which considers the Whole (as Plato would say), Raphael expresses himself with a conceptual methodology well suited to the receptivity of the modern mind. He enables his readers to deepen their understanding, at the conscious as well as the conceptual level, of what may be described as the most difficult metaphysical visions. Having traversed the ‘Path without support or relationship’ (Asparsavada), he brings into the light of knowledge the fundamental realities of the most daring pathways to realization ever propounded by the greatest thinkers and philosophers of both East and West.The ‘Path of non-generation’ (Ajativada), as expounded by Gauß╕ìapada, makes it clear that the supreme Being is pure actuality, which excludes all multiplicity, all duality, and all ontological unity, as well as all transition from potentiality to actuality. In the text, this view is compared to that of Parmenides, for whom Being is and does not become: it is unity and actuality, everlasting and not subject to birth (ajati) or death.Advaita Vedanta (Non-duality), as presented by Sankara, envisages a Unity beyond the realm of mathematics, a ‘Not-two’ which does not grow and which is without any relationship (asparsa). This metaphysical, non-dual Unity may be compared to the One Good or the Supreme Good of Plato and to the One of Plotinus.The text makes references both to the Upaniß╣úads and to the most illuminating passages from those Philosophers who have the closest links with the initiatory Tradition of the Sacred Mysteries in ancient Greece.From Orpheus to Pythagoras, from Plato to Plotinus, the vision of the metaphysical unity has always been reflected upon and transmitted. Since these teachings engage the very consciousness of our being,  we may speak of a Western metaphysics of realization, and in this volume Raphael accentuates and enlivens this ever-present Philosophia Perennis and encourages us to actually realize it.

Catechisme du citoyen, par Raphael...Date de l'edition originale : 1872Ce livre est la reproduction fidele d'une oeuvre publiee avant 1920 et fait partie d'une collection de livres reimprimes a la demande editee par Hachette Livre, dans le cadre d'un partenariat avec la Bibliotheque nationale de France, offrant l'opportunite d'acceder a des ouvrages anciens et souvent rares issus des fonds patrimoniaux de la BnF.Les oeuvres faisant partie de cette collection ont ete numerisees par la BnF et sont presentes sur Gallica, sa bibliotheque numerique.En entreprenant de redonner vie a ces ouvrages au travers d'une collection de livres reimprimes a la demande, nous leur donnons la possibilite de rencontrer un public elargi et participons a la transmission de connaissances et de savoirs parfois difficilement accessibles.Nous avons cherche a concilier la reproduction fidele d'un livre ancien a partir de sa version numerisee avec le souci d'un confort de lecture optimal. Nous esperons que les ouvrages de cette nouvelle collection vous apporteront entiere satisfaction.Pour plus d'informations, rendez-vous sur www.hachettebnf.frhttp://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54529269

This book is not an essay on the Qabbalah nor a historical study on its origins, but a synthetic presentation in the form of sutra-aphorisms in order to be able to "comprehend" and "realize" its teaching. The expression 'Ehjeh 'Ašer 'Ehjeh, which means "I am That I am" or "Being is Being", represents the knowledge by identity. Therefore the Qabbalah, like any other traditional doctrine, does not constitute a simple learned knowledge but life experience.The Hebrew term Qabbalah, which is equivalent to the the word Masôrah, means “reception” or “transmission”, and represents the esoteric part of the Old Testament. This means that the Old Testament, besides having an external and exoteric function, has also a deeper and significant function which is internal and esoteric.The symbol of the Qabbalah is the Sephirothic Tree in which are are summed up the indefinite expressive possibilities (Sephiroth) of the micro and macrocosm, beyond which there is the sphere of Ain Soph Aur (Absolute) which corresponds to the One-without-a-second (advaita), the unqualified Brahman (nirguna) of the Vedanta doctrine.In view of the fact that the Qabbalah represents a complete teaching, above all RAPHAEL brings to light its metaphysical sphere (Ain Soph Aur) and the pathway taking to it: the "Pathway of Fire". That is the Pathway" that each disciple, to whatever branch he may belong to, must travel in order to realize the identity with his own Essence.

The Source of Life is presented in dialogue form. With an ability akin to Socrates' maieutic art, Raphael forces the inquirer to delve into himself until he finds what he was looking for. R. Human beings wander in the forest of becoming, riddled with doubt, with conflict and a sense of incompleteness, and the true purpose of existence escapes them. What might this purpose be? Q. That of comprehending oneself, I think. R. What do we mean by comprehension? Does comprehending not mean to "take something within oneself", to experience its conceptual contents, to penetrate the essence of the thing? Therefore, if we comprehend our true Essence, we cannot but be that Essence in every place, time and causality. Q. This act of self-comprehension requires time, withdrawal from the world and solitude. I go to work every day and I find myself in this frantic world, how can I reach such a favourable state? R. To comprehend ourselves must we really retire into the jungle or to the top of a mountain? ....

PLATO is an exponent in the West of the ancient Tradition that goes back to Orpheus, and he is regarded as the father of Western Philosophy. In the study of Plato's thought there have been various interpretations. These can be ascribed to two fundamental approaches: one focusing on Plato's "writing", the other on the "oral" essence of Plato's teaching. In this book, going beyond these two approaches, RAPHAEL offers an introduction to Plato's thought aimed at 'realizing' Plato's teaching about "being" a real philosopher, "one who sees the Whole", while leaving the task of meditating on Plato's texts to the reader. Raphael also draws a comparison between Plato and Sankara, the codifier of Advaita Vedanta, suggesting that there is only one universal Tradition of the Mysteries. Finally, he sheds light on how Plato's philosophy is meant to transform man and society. In this sense, approaching Plato's teaching with sacred humility and due aspiration will benefit the disciple who seeks realization.

The cars on high-speed highways must follow each other like sheep. And they need shepherds. The highway police cruiser of tomorrow however must be massively different-as different as the highways themselves!