Giulio Maspero

This contribution is based on the circularity pointed out by the following sentences: «It is for their physics that metaphysics get old» (E. Gilson) and «It is through physics that we go back to metaphysics today» (J. Daniélou). Two paths are juxtaposed: the first is the ontological one, that from the Pythagorean identification of being and number brought to overcome the identification of being and the intelligible dimension, typical of Greek metaphysics, by virtue of the apophatic approach formulated in the framework of 4th century Trinitarian thought; the second path starts with Pythagorean doctrine again, but on the scientific side gets to overcome 18th century determinism through chaos physics and quantum mechanics...