The Anatomy of Neoplatonism

## Abstract Neoplatonism is traditionally considered a mystical philosophy; on the contrary the aim of this book is to show the importance of a logical and epistemological approach for the understanding of Neoplatonic basic ontological problems. In doing that, Lloyd considers a very wide range of philosophers from Plotinus up to Byzantine Neoplatonists. After a preliminary discussion of how the Neoplatonic semantics and logical concepts are a result of their understanding of previous philosophers (in particular Aristotle), Lloyd introduces the key point of the book, i.e. his theory of the P‐series. A P‐series is a group of terms ordered according to priority a posteriority in which the first term is universal and common to all the others. This logical theory is applied to explain how the reality is structured (procession and emanation from the One) and how knowledge is constituted. The book ends with an analysis of how mystical apprehension differs from the union with the One. The Anatomy of Neoplatonism was the crowning achievement of A. C. Lloyd, the distinguished scholar of late ancient philosophy. He offers a rich and authoritative study of this school of thought, which was highly influential not only on subsequent philosophy but also on Christian theology. His discussion ranges over metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and language, and reveals the fundamental structure of Neoplatonist thought; the book is essential reading for all who work in this area. Lloyd shows that while Neoplatonism is not a modern philosophy, it is indeed philosophy in the modern sense. 'A comprehensive study of Neoplatonism . . . from the pen of A. C. Lloyd is greatly to be welcomed . . . a worthy and valuable culmination of many years of thought' International Studies in Philosophy 'interesting and important . . . very rewarding' Times Literary Supplement 'the new view of Neoplatonism that the book offers is one that is worth having' Bryn Mawr Classical Review 'this book can be expected to become a fruitful basis of discussion as the philosophical exploration of Neoplatonic metaphysics develops' Review of Metaphysics 'learned and fascinating . . . I doubt whether any other living scholar could have written so effectively on Neoplatonism in this way' Contemporary Philosophical Reviews This Study Proposes That Neoplatonism, While Not A Modern Philosophy, Is Philosophy In The Modern Sense. Lloyd Analyzes The Key Structures That Underlie The Dogmas Of The Neoplatonic World Picture, Including The Concept Of Emanation, The Return Of The Soul To The One, The Place Of Mystical Knowledge, Epistemology, And Porphyry's Theory Of Predication, And Shows That They Rest On Original But Intelligible Concepts And Arguments. A.c. Lloyd. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. This discussion ranges over metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and language, and reveals the fundamental structure of Neoplatonist thought, showing that while Neoplatonism is not a modern philosophy, it is philosophy in the modern sense