Silence and Its Applications in the R?m?'s Works

Silence is one of the most important elements in mystical theology, generally, and in negative theology, particularly. Silence is the last stage to which the mystic or the mystical theologian reaches in talking of God. In this stage, all the linguistic methods of the mystic disappear. In this paper, firstly, we will discuss the central role of the silence in the R?m?’s works. Then we will argue the moral-psychological and linguistic-cognitive reasons which R?m? had for calling to silence. Some of these reasons are saving role of the silence, the oppositional relation between rationality and talking, avoiding mental disturbance, keeping the secrets, observing the capacity of the audience, and the limitations of the language. Finally, we will discuss, from R?m?’s viewpoint, why the mystics talks too much of God despite their calling to silence. In this relation, some reasons, such as a psychological obligation, being made to talk by God, talking by the love of God, and talking as an instructional device, will be mentioned.