The Routledge Handbook of Neoplatonism (Routledge Handbooks in Philosophy)

__The Routledge Handbook of Neoplatonism__ is an authoritative and comprehensive survey of the most important issues and developments in one of the fastest growing areas of research in ancient philosophy. An international team of scholars situates and re-evaluates Neoplatonism within the history of ancient philosophy and thought, and explores its influence on philosophical and religious schools worldwide. Over thirty chapters are divided into seven clear parts: * (Re)sources, instruction and interaction * Methods and Styles of Exegesis * Metaphysics and Metaphysical Perspectives * Language, Knowledge, Soul, and Self * Nature: Physics, Medicine and Biology * Ethics, Political Theory and Aesthetics * The legacy of Neoplatonism. __The Routledge Handbook of Neoplatonism__ is a major reference source for all students and scholars in Neoplatonism and ancient philosophy, as well as researchers in the philosophy of science, ethics, aesthetics and religion. Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Acknowledgements 10 Abbreviations 12 1. Introduction: Neoplatonism today 14 PART I: (RE)SOURCES, INSTRUCTION AND INTERACTION 24 Introduction 26 2. Platonist curricula and their influence 28 3. The Alexandrian classrooms excavated and sixth-century philosophy teaching 43 4. Middle Platonism and its relation to Stoicism and the Peripatetic tradition 53 5. Plotinus and the Gnostics: opposed heirs of Plato 65 6. Plotinus and the Orient: aoristos dyas 90 PART II: METHODS AND STYLES OF EXEGESIS 114 Introduction 116 7. Aristotelian commentary tradition 119 8. The non-commentary tradition 128 9. Plotinus’ style and argument 139 10. Proclus’ geometrical method 158 PART III: METAPHYSICS AND METAPHYSICAL PERSPECTIVES 174 Introduction 176 11. Metaphysics: the origin of becoming and the resolution of ignorance 179 12. The metaphysics of the One 195 13. Number in the metaphysical landscape 213 14. Substance 229 15. Matter and evil in the Neoplatonic tradition 244 PART IV: LANGUAGE, KNOWLEDGE, SOUL AND SELF 258 Introduction 260 16. The gift of Hermes: the Neoplatonists on language and philosophy 264 17. Neoplatonic epistemology: knowledge, truth and intellection 279 18. Iamblichus on soul 293 19. From Alexander of Aphrodisias to Plotinus 306 20. Metaphysics of soul and self in Plotinus 323 21. Perceptual awareness in the ancient commentators 336 PART V: NATURE: PHYSICS, MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 352 Introduction 354 22. Physics and metaphysics 356 23. Neoplatonism and medicine 369 24. Humans, other animals, plants and the question of the good: the Platonic and Neoplatonic traditions 385 PART VI: ETHICS, POLITICAL THEORY AND AESTHETICS 404 Introduction 406 25. Plotinus on metaphysics and morality 409 26. Plotinus on founding freedom in Ennead VI.8[39] 434 27. Freedom, providence and fate 450 28. Action, reasoning and the highest good 466 29. Political theory 484 30. Plotinus’ aesthetics: in defence of the lifelike 497 PART VII: LEGACY 516 Introduction 518 31. Neoplatonism and Christianity in the West 521 32. Neoplatonism and Christianity in the East: philosophical and theological challenges for bishops 538 33. Islamic and Jewish Neoplatonisms 554 Contributors 572 Bibliography 576 Index of passages cited 626 General index 644 The Routledge Handbook of Neoplatonism is an authoritative and comprehensive survey of the most important issues and developments in one of the fastest growing areas of research in ancient philosophy. An international team of scholars situated and re-evaluates Neoplatonism within the history of ancient philosophy and thought and explores its influence on philosophical and religious schools worldwide. The Routledge Handbook of Neoplatonism is a major reference source for all students and scholars in Neoplatonism and ancient philosophy, as well as researchers in the philosophy of science, ethics, aesthetics, and religion