The Hesychastic Illuminism and the Theory of the Third Light

In Greece, there is a long 'illuminist' tradition starting with Plato's parable of the Cave, to Aristotle's metaphysics, and reaching its zenith during the Byzantine Hellenism with the Hesychasts. This tradition articulated an uncreated light that can be participated in, thus making man a partaker of the Divinity.


Through this tradition, Plato and the Hesychasts pave radically new ways of thinking about ontology, theology, epistemology, ethics, psychotherapy and politics. This book is an original study of these topics and provides a challenging contribution to contemporary debates about cultural and faith-based diplomacy, religion, geopolitics, global affairs and the crisis of modernity.



Dr Nicolas Laos was born in Athens, Greece and his background includes Mathematics, Politics and Philosophy. He is a Faculty Member of the University of Indianapolis (Department of International Relations, Athens Campus) and a Board Member of the Research Institute for European and American Studies (RIEAS). He has published several monographs and articles in Mathematical Analysis, Philosophy, International Relations and Spirituality. His academic and charitable work has received numerous awards.