The Phosphorus, sive de prima causa et natura mali tractatus, published by Eilhard Lubinus in 1596, advanced a neo-Platonist argument regarding the primordial principles of Being and Nothing. This specific philosophical position initiated substantial scholarly disputes during the seventeenth century, marking his place within the intellectual history of Germany as both a theologian and a provocative social critic.
Academic Appointments and Early Life
Born in 1565 in Westerstede, Eilhard Lübben was the son of a pastor within the Duchy of Oldenburg. His formal education included study at the University of Helmstedt and the University of Leipzig. By 1595, he secured the position of Professor of Poetry at the University of Rostock. He transitioned to the Chair of Theology at the same institution in 1605, where he remained until his death in 1621.
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His 1596 publication, Phosphorus, argued for the existence of two distinct primordial principles. This dualistic framework attracted significant criticism from contemporaries, including Albert Grauer, who characterized the work as heretical. Despite these attacks, the debate highlighted his role as a participant in wider European discussions concerning the nature of evil and metaphysical origins.
Linguistic and Cartographic Contributions
Beyond theology, Lubinus produced extensive scholarly output. He published editions of classical texts, including the Epistolae of Apollonius, the De Vanitate Mundi by Bernard, the Epistolae of Hippocrates, and a literal Latin version of the Greek Anthology. In 1610, Phillip II of Pomerania commissioned him to create a map of Pomerania. His 1617 trilingual edition of the New Testament included a preface advocating for reform in language instruction, specifically proposing the use of visual aids to treat Latin as a living tongue. This pedagogical approach influenced the later educational theories of Comenius.
Fast facts
- Born: 1565, Westerstede
- Died: 1621, Rostock
- Citizenship: Germany
- Education: University of Helmstedt
- Primary Occupations: mathematician, theologian, philosopher, cartographer
- Burial: Rostock
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1617 New Testament preface?
It contained a discourse against standard Latin teaching methods, encouraging the use of pictures and living language techniques, which later impacted the work of Comenius.
Why was Lubinus attacked by Albert Grauer?
Grauer targeted Lubinus for his neo-Platonist assertions in Phosphorus, which posited that Being and Nothing were the two primordial principles of existence.
