Against You Alone: On Judgement, the Soul's Self-Witness, and the Two Responses That Remain

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Authors: Oscar Gaitan
Cited by: 7
References: 3

Abstract

This essay proposes an interpretation of Judgement as the soul’s first complete act of self-witness rather than merely an externally imposed verdict. Drawing from The Holy Bible, especially Psalm 51 and Genesis 3, alongside philosophical theology and literary analysis, it argues that temporal existence continuously forms the orientation of the will through recurring encounters with the present moment. Death and Judgement remove the “chain of interference” constituted by bodily passions, discursive reasoning, memory, anticipation, and self-justification, allowing the soul to perceive its own will as God always perceived it. The essay further examines confession, shame, pride, contingency, and freedom, arguing that pride uniquely resists self-transcendence because it denies any authority above the self. Judgement is therefore understood not primarily as imposed condemnation, but as unveiled self-knowledge culminating in either repentance or refusal. “Against you alone” or “Non Serviam.”

Fields of Study & Subjects

Biblical Studies and Interpretation Theological Perspectives and Practices Augustinian Studies and Theology

Publication details

Journal / source
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Publication date
8 May 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Preprint