A History of Ancient Philosophy, Vol. 4: The Schools of the Imperial Age

This book covers the first 500 years of the common era. These years witnessed the revivals of Aristotelianism, Epicureanism, Pyrrhonism, Cynicism, and Pythagoreanism; but by far the most important movement was the revival of Platonism under Plotinus. Here, the historical context of Plotinus is provided including the currents of thought that preceded him and opened the path for him. The presuppositions of the Enneads are made explicit and the thought of Plotinus is reconstructed. The author reorients the expositions of Middle Platonism and neo-Pythagoreanism. He provides a full exposition of Hermeticism and the doctrines of the Chaldean Oracles . He also defends the notion that Philo of Alexandria nourished a Jewish philosophy, not an eclectic mixture. This book covers the first 500 years of the common era. These years witnessed the revivals of Aristotelianism, Epicureanism, Pyrrhonism, Cynicism, and Pythagoreanism; but by far the most important movement was the revival of Platonism under Plotinus. Here, the historical context of Plotinus is provided including the currents of thought that preceded him and opened the path for him. The presuppositions of the __Enneads__ are made explicit and the thought of Plotinus is reconstructed.The author reorients the expositions of Middle Platonism and neo-Pythagoreanism. He provides a full exposition of Hermeticism and the doctrines of the __Chaldean Oracles__. He also defends the notion that Philo of Alexandria nourished a Jewish philosophy, not an eclectic mixture. 1. From The Origins To Socrates -- 2. Plato And Aristotle -- 3. The Systems Of The Hellenistic Age -- 4. The Schools Of The Imperial Age. Giovanni Reale ; Edited And Translated From The ... Italian Edition, John R. Catan. Translation Of: Storia Della Filosofia Antica. Vol. 1 Translated From The Fourth Italian Ed.; Vol. 3 From The Third; Vols. 2 And 4 From The Fifth. Includes Indexes. Includes Bibliographies.