The ten gifts of the demiurge : Proclus' Commentary on Plato's Timaeus

"Proclus' commentary on Plato's "Timaeus" is perhaps the most important surviving Neoplatonic commentary. In it Proclus contemplates nature's mysterious origins and at the same time employs the deductive rigour required to address perennial philosophical questions. Nature, for him, is both divine and mathematically transparent. He renders theories of Time, Eternity, Providence, Evil, Soul and Intellect and constructs an elaborate ontology that includes mathematics and astronomy. He gives ample play to pagan theology too, frequently lapsing into the arcane language of the "Chaldaean Oracles". "Ten Gifts of the Demiurge" is an essential companion to this rich but complex and densely wrought text, providing an analysis of its arguments and showing that it, like the cosmos Proclus reveres, is a living coherent whole. The book provides aides to understanding Proclus' work within the complex background of Neoplatonic philosophy, familiarising the reader with the political context of the Athenian school, analysing Proclus' key terminology, and giving background to the philosophical arguments and ancient sciences upon which Proclus draws. Above all, it helps the reader appreciate the varicoloured light that Proclus sheds on the secrets of nature."--Bloomsbury Publishing Proclus' commentary on Plato's "Timaeus" is perhaps the most important surviving Neoplatonic commentary. In it Proclus contemplates nature's mysterious origins and at the same time employs the deductive rigour required to address perennial philosophical questions. Nature, for him, is both divine and mathematically transparent. He renders theories of Time, Eternity, Providence, Evil, Soul and Intellect and constructs an elaborate ontology that includes mathematics and astronomy. He gives ample play to pagan theology too, frequently lapsing into the arcane language of the "Chaldaean Oracles". "Ten Gifts of the Demiurge" is an essential companion to this rich but complex and densely wrought text, providing an analysis of its arguments and showing that it, like the cosmos Proclus reveres, is a living coherent whole. The book provides aides to understanding Proclus' work within the complex background of Neoplatonic philosophy, familiarising the reader with the political context of the Athenian school, analysing Proclus' key terminology, and giving background to the philosophical arguments and ancient sciences upon which Proclus draws.Above all, it helps the reader appreciate the varicoloured light that Proclus sheds on the secrets of nature. Proclus Contemplates Nature's Mysterious Origins And At The Same Time Employs The Deductive Rigour Required To Address Perennial Philosophical Questions. Nature, For Him, Is Both Divine And Mathematically Transparent. He Renders Theories Of Time, Eternity, Providence, Evil, Soul And Intellect, And Constructs An Elaborate Ontology That Includes Mathematics And Astronomy. He Gives Ample Play To Pagan Theology As Well, Frequently Lapsing Into The Arcane Language Of The Chaldaean Oracles. Ten Gifts Of The Demiurge Is Companion To This Text, Providing An Analysis Of Its Arguments And Showing That It, Like The Cosmos Proclus Reveres, Is A Living Coherent Whole. The Book Provides Aids To Understanding Proclus' Work Within The Complex Background Of Neoplatonic Philosophy, Familiarising The Reader With The Political Context Of The Athenian School, Analysing Proclus' Key Terminology, And Giving Background To The Philosophical Arguments And Ancient Sciences Upon Which Proclus Draws. Above All, It Helps The Reader Appreciate The Varicoloured Light That Proclus Sheds On The Secrets Of Nature. --book Jacket. Introduction: The Ten Gifts Of The Demiurge -- Prevailing Circumstances: Theological Rhetoric And The Athenian School -- Contrariety And Perceptibility: Athena, Goddes Of Wisdom And Of War -- Bonded Genesis And Foundational Mathematics -- Third Gift: 'he Makes It A Whole' -- He Makes It A Sphere': Animating The Universe From The Centre -- Proclus' Golden Ratio: As Time Is To Soul, So Intellect Is To Eternity -- 'sanctuaries Of The Gods': The Ontological Status Of The Lesser Pantheon -- All Too Mortal: The Proclean Soul And Its Inability To Assimilate -- Man As A Microcosm: Providence, Fate And The Soul's Descent -- Beyond Plato: Nature, 'woven By The Intellective Light Of Athena'. Emilie Kutash. Bloomsbury Academic Has Acquired Duckworth Academic And Bristol Classical Press -- Publisher's Web Site. First Published In 2011 By Bristol Classical Press An Imprint Of Bloomsbury Academic, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc--t. P. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 289-296) And Index. Presents and analyses the arguments of Proclus' long and very rich commentary on Plato's "Timaeus", relating them to perennial issues of philosophy and contextualising them within Platonism, Chaldaean theology, and antique science.