Neoplatonism

Cover; Half Title; Title; Copyright; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. The first principles and the metaphysical hierarchy; 3. Nature and the sensible universe; 4. Human being and the self; 5. Epistemology and philosophical psychology; 6. Ethics and politics; 7. The Neoplatonic legacy; Glossary of terms; Guide to further reading; References; Index of passages; Index.;Although Neoplatonism has long been studied by classicists, until recently most philosophers saw the ideas of Plotinus et al as a lot of religious/magical mumbo-jumbo. Recent work however has provided a new perspective on the philosophical issues in Neoplatonism and Pauliina Remes new introduction to the subject is the first to take account of this fresh research and provides a reassessment of Neoplatonism's philosophical credentials. Covering the Neoplatonic movement from its founder, Plotinus (AD 204-70) to the closure of Plato's Academy in AD 529 Remes explores the ideas of leading Neoplato. Although Neoplatonism has long been studied by classicists, until recently most philosophers saw the ideas of Plotinus et al as a lot of religious/magical mumbo-jumbo. Recent work however has provided a new perspective on the philosophical issues in Neoplatonism and Pauliina Remes new introduction to the subject is the first to take account of this fresh research and provides a reassessment of Neoplatonism's philosophical credentials. Covering the Neoplatonic movement from its founder, Plotinus (AD 204-70) to the closure of Plato's Academy in AD 529 Remes explores the ideas of leading Neoplatonists such as Porphyry, lamblichus, Proclus, Simplicius and Damascius as well as less well-known thinkers. Situating their ideas alongside classical Platonism, Stoicism, and the neo-Pythagoreans as well as other intellectual movements of the time such as Gnosticism, Judaism and Christianity, Remes provides a valuable survey for the beginning student and non-specialist. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Preface 8 Acknowledgements 13 1. Introduction 14 2. The first principles and the metaphysical hierarchy 48 3. Nature and the sensible universe 90 4. Human being and the self 112 5. Epistemology and philosophical psychology 148 6. Ethics and politics 188 7. The Neoplatonic legacy 210 Glossary of terms 222 Guide to further reading 227 References 240 Index of passages 248 Index 253