“The Divine Hand” in Ontological Context

Aim. The aim of this research is to identify the ontological content of the metaphor “the Divine hand” in various philosophical and religious contexts.

Methodology. As a methodological foundation in the work, a philosophical-ontological approach is utilized. Within this framework, a comparison is made, specifically, between two ontological models: the hierarchy of layers of being and the triadic structure of reality. Dialectical methodology is utilized to examine the metaphor’s usage, contrasting it with an antithesis symbolizing negative forces opposing the benevolent manifestations of the “the Divine hand” Contextual analysis of the metaphor’s usage in diverse philosophical and religious sources is applied in the research.

Results. The study clarifies the usage of the metaphorical expression “the Divine hand” in religious contexts to denote the influence of Divine power on human events beyond predictability and human control, indicating a profound connection between humans and a higher order of reality. A correlation between the concept of the “the Divine hand” and religious and philosophical ideas is identified. The concept is compared to the idea of Divine Providence in St. Thomas Aquinas’s philosophy and N. Hartmann’s hierarchical ontology, where higher layers influence lower ones, manifesting as a unique impact of a higher power on various aspects of reality. The study uncovers the connection between the concept of the “the Divine hand” and the ontological model developed by V. N. Sagatovsky, describing the triadic structure of being (objective, subjective, and transcendental reality). In this model, the integrity of being surpasses the ontological status of each type, allowing the interpretation of such integrity as a kind of “the Divine hand”. Perspectives for the scientific interpretation of the metaphor “the Divine hand” are outlined based on the principles of contemporary postclassical science, including synergistic studies in the realms of chaos and complexity.

Research implications. Theoretical and practical significance lies in conceptualizing the ontological content of the metaphor, expanding philosophical notions about the relationship between humans and the transcendental. The results can serve as a foundation for further development of understanding in the realm of the spiritual aspects of human life, contributing to the broadening of the horizon in contemporary philosophical discourse on causality, determinism, and randomness.

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