Porphyry’s Place in the Neoplatonic Tradition

Porphyry’s Place in the Neoplatonic Tradition
Title Porphyry’s Place in the Neoplatonic Tradition PDF eBook
Author A. Smith
Publisher Springer Science & Business Media
Pages 200
Release 2012-12-06
Genre Philosophy
ISBN 9401016046

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This book is a slightly emended version of a dissertation presented at the University of Hull in 1972. I realise only too well the deficiencies of style, presentation and material which this involves. The title implies a more final note than I had intended in my treatment of Porphyry. On reflexion, however, it seemed the most suited to convey the general purpose of my enquiries. A more rounded assessment of Porphyry can come only after some more basic work has been completed. An edition of his philosophical fragments, to which I am now turning my attention, is a prerequisite. lowe, of course, a great deal to all those who have written on Neo platonism. I am particularly indebted to Prof. Willy Theiler under whose guidance I studied in Bern. Conversation with him always resulted in new directions of enquiry and I was constantly stimulated by his breadth of knowledge. I must also thank Prof. A. H. Armstrong who has constantly encouraged me and helped me to look more deeply into a number of problems. Welcome, too, was a detailed criticism of Part Two by Dr. R. T. Wallis. Their criticism and advice have not always been followed and the responsibility for the faults and weak nesses of this book rests on myself.

Porphyry’s Place in the Neoplatonic Tradition

Porphyry’s Place in the Neoplatonic Tradition
Title Porphyry’s Place in the Neoplatonic Tradition PDF eBook
Author A. Smith
Publisher Springer Science & Business Media
Pages 200
Release 1974
Genre Philosophy
ISBN 9789024716531

Download Porphyry’s Place in the Neoplatonic Tradition Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

This book is a slightly emended version of a dissertation presented at the University of Hull in 1972. I realise only too well the deficiencies of style, presentation and material which this involves. The title implies a more final note than I had intended in my treatment of Porphyry. On reflexion, however, it seemed the most suited to convey the general purpose of my enquiries. A more rounded assessment of Porphyry can come only after some more basic work has been completed. An edition of his philosophical fragments, to which I am now turning my attention, is a prerequisite. lowe, of course, a great deal to all those who have written on NeoƯ platonism. I am particularly indebted to Prof. Willy Theiler under whose guidance I studied in Bern. Conversation with him always resulted in new directions of enquiry and I was constantly stimulated by his breadth of knowledge. I must also thank Prof. A.H. Armstrong who has constantly encouraged me and helped me to look more deeply into a number of problems. Welcome, too, was a detailed criticism of Part Two by Dr. R.T. Wallis. Their criticism and advice have not always been followed and the responsibility for the faults and weakƯ nesses of this book rests on myself.

Dionysius the Areopagite and the Neoplatonist Tradition

Dionysius the Areopagite and the Neoplatonist Tradition
Title Dionysius the Areopagite and the Neoplatonist Tradition PDF eBook
Author Sarah Klitenic Wear
Publisher Routledge
Pages 238
Release 2017-11-28
Genre History
ISBN 1351159828

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'Dionysius the Areopagite' is arguably one of the most mysterious and intriguing figures to emerge from the late antique world. Writing probably around 500 CE, and possibly connected with the circle of Severus of Antioch, Dionysius manipulates a Platonic metaphysics to describe a hierarchical universe: as with the Hellenic Platonists, he arranges the celestial and material cosmos into a series of triadic strata. These strata emanate from one unified being and contain beings that range from superior to inferior, depending on their proximity to God. Not only do all things in the hierarchy participate in God, but also all things are inter-connected, so that the lower hierarchies fully participate in the higher ones. This metaphysics lends itself to a sacramental system similar to that of the Hellenic ritual, theurgy. Theurgy allows humans to reach the divine by examining the divine as it exists in creation. Although Dionysius' metaphysics and religion are similar to that of Iamblichus and Proclus in many ways, Pseudo-Dionysius differs fundamentally in his use of an ecclesiastical cosmos, rather than that of the Platonic Timaean cosmos of the Hellenes. This book discusses the Christian Platonist's adaptation of Hellenic metaphysics, language, and religious ritual. While Dionysius clearly works within the Hellenic tradition, he innovates to integrate Hellenic and Christian thought.

Neoplatonic Demons and Angels

Neoplatonic Demons and Angels
Title Neoplatonic Demons and Angels PDF eBook
Author Luc Brisson
Publisher BRILL
Pages 304
Release 2018-07-10
Genre Philosophy
ISBN 9004374981

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Neoplatonic Demons and Angels is a collection of eleven studies which examine, in chronological order, the place reserved for angels and demons not only by the main Neoplatonic philosophers (Plotinus, Porphyry, Iamblichus, and Proclus), but also in Gnosticism, the Chaldaean Oracles, Christian Neoplatonism, especially by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. This volume originates from a panel held at the 2014 ISNS meeting in Lisbon, but is supplemented by a number of invited papers.

Plotinus, Porphyry and Iamblichus

Plotinus, Porphyry and Iamblichus
Title Plotinus, Porphyry and Iamblichus PDF eBook
Author Andrew Smith
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Pages 338
Release 2024-10-28
Genre Philosophy
ISBN 1040246478

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This selection of twenty-five essays by Andrew Smith is devoted to Neoplatonism and especially to Plotinus and Porphyry. It deals with Plotinus' development of the Platonic Forms, and includes a lengthy assessment of Porphyry's contribution to the Platonic tradition. The themes also embrace a number of issues that have become particularly prominent in the more recent growth of interest in these philosophers of late antiquity. For example, the importance of practical ethical activity is examined particularly in the case of Plotinus and it is argued from several perspectives that a theoretical basis for reconciling the life of contemplation with that of everyday living may be found in his metaphysics. This also involves his speculations on time and eternity as well as his observations about human consciousness. A closer examination of the role of religion, magic and myth in the life of the philosopher reveals a much richer and more nuanced appreciation of their importance than has been accorded them by an earlier generation of scholars. In particular the contribution of Iamblichus is recognised as a profound attempt to account for divine activity in the world and the first attempt to propose a solution to the problems involved in presenting metaphysics of religious ritual.

Divination and Theurgy in Neoplatonism

Divination and Theurgy in Neoplatonism
Title Divination and Theurgy in Neoplatonism PDF eBook
Author Crystal Addey
Publisher Routledge
Pages 394
Release 2016-05-13
Genre Philosophy
ISBN 1317148983

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Why did ancient philosophers consult oracles, write about them, and consider them to be an important part of philosophical thought and practice? This book explores the extensive links between oracles and philosophy in Late Antiquity, particularly focusing on the roles of oracles and other forms of divination in third and fourth century CE Neoplatonism. Examining some of the most significant debates between pagan philosophers and Christian intellectuals on the nature of oracles as a central yet contested element of religious tradition, Addey focuses particularly on Porphyry's Philosophy from Oracles and Iamblichus' De Mysteriis - two works which deal extensively with oracles and other forms of divination. This book argues for the significance of divination within Neoplatonism and offers a substantial reassessment of oracles and philosophical works and their relationship to one another. With a broad interdisciplinary approach, encompassing Classics, Ancient Philosophy, Theology, Religious Studies and Ancient History, Addey draws on recent anthropological and religious studies research which has challenged and re-evaluated the relationship between rationality and ritual.

Porphyry Against the Christians

Porphyry Against the Christians
Title Porphyry Against the Christians PDF eBook
Author Robert Berchman
Publisher BRILL
Pages 261
Release 2005-11-01
Genre Philosophy
ISBN 9047415728

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Porphyry's Against the Christians offers an important example of Hellenic Biblical criticism and a critique of Christianity at the close of Late Antiquity, fl. 300 C.E.