Culture and Philosophy in the Age of Plotinus (Classical Literature and Society)

"This book offers a survey of the teachings of, and relations between, four leading figures in third-century Platonism: Longinus, Plotinus, Porphyry and Iamblichus. It documents and explains the coalescence of Aristotelian and Platonic elements in the Platonic tradition before the 3rd century, considers the effect of the new political environment on these thinkers, and argues that the antagonistic interests of the two older men (Longinus and Plotinus) were combined in the work of the two younger figures (Porphyry and Iamblichus) without sacrifice of coherence, rationality or fidelity to Plato. The authorship of the treatise on the sublime, the question of mysticism in Plotinus and the relation of Neoplatonism to ancient Christianity are among the topics discussed."--Bloomsbury Publishing This book offers a survey of the teachings of, and relations between, four leading figures in third-century Platonism: Longinus, Plotinus, Porphyry and lamblichus. It documents and explains the coalescence of Aristotelian and Platonic elements in the Platonic tradition before the 3rd century, considers the effect of the new political environment on these thinkers, and argues that the antagonistic interests of the two older men (Longinus and Plotinus) were combined in the work of the two younger figures (Porphyry and lamblichus) without sacrifice of coherence, rationality or fidelity to Plato. The authorship of the treatise on the sublime, the question of mysticism in Plotinus and the relation of Neoplatonism to ancient Christianity are among the topics discussed. Culture And Philosophy In The Age Of Plotinus Presents A Survey Of The Teachings Of, And Relations Between, Four Leading Figures In Third-century A.d. Neoplatonism: Longinus, Plotinus, Porphyry And Iamblichus. The Book Documents And Explains The Coalescence Of Aristotelian And Platonic Elements In The Platonic Tradition Before The Third Century, Considers The Effect Of The New Political Environment On These Thinkers, And Argues That The Antagonistic Interests Of The Two Older Men (longinus And Plotinus) Were Combined In The Work Of The Two Younger Figures (porphyry And Iamblichus) Without Sacrifice Of Coherence, Rationality Or Fidelity To Plato.--book Jacket. The Platonic Tradition -- Four Philosophers -- Platonists On Plato -- Logic, Number And The One -- The Pilgrim Soul -- Literature And Dogma -- Philosophy From Oracles -- Magic And Occult Sciences -- Platonists And Christians. Mark Edwards. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 185-193) And Index.