Neoplatonism

by Richard T. Wallis, Lloyd P. Gerson (Foreword)

"This is an excellent textbook on Neoplatonism which gives the reader a very concise and lucid overview of the basic doctrines and leading thinkers of the last great philosophy to emerge before the Christianization of the Roman Empire. I’ve no doubt that my students next semester will benefit from the analyses contained in the book. The contents of the chapters are very informative and adequately place developments in their socio-cultural context." --Michael B. Simmons, Auburn University at Montgomery

Genres: Philosophy, Mysticism, Unfinished, History

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1972

Reviews

[David Sarkies · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty Deep
19 April 2021

I guess I might have bit off a little bit more than I can chew when it comes to this book. It is pretty intense, and as the author suggests at the beginning, he warns that he writes from the position that the reader has an understanding of Neo-platonism already, and while I have read some works in that regard, I can’t necessarily say that I am an expert, or even have an understanding of the subject. As such, you can say that I got pretty lost as I was reading this book, and it isn’t one that I really wanted to spend too much time trying to understand. You could say that while I’m interested in ancient philosophy, this book went way deeper than I was comfortable with.

Mind you, my understanding of Neo-platonism is that it is a philosophy that emerged during the later part of the Roman Empire, and not surprisingly it found itself in conflict with Christianity. While there were a number of prominent figures in the movement, such as Porphyry and Plotinus, it wasn’t as widespread as some of the other philosophies, and it didn’t take off in the same way. I got the feeling that while it did make its rounds, it wasn’t able to overtake Christianity, which was growing rapidly at the time. Then again, the thing with Christianity was that it appealed to the lower classes, where as Neo-platonism was more something that the intellectuals picked up.

What interests me with the topic is the focus that the followers have on the Timeaus. Yeah, the book that we moderns simply think of as the book that talks about Atlantis, the Neo-platonists looked at it in a completely different light. I suspect that it has something to do with Plato setting the stage by talking about Atlantis, and then moving on into what is in effect a scientific text. Mind you, it isn’t as if it was a major scientific text either, since the likes of Galen, Ptolemy, and Lucretius, were much more prolific, and their writings lasted for a great deal longer.

The thing with Neo-platonism is that it is a pretty spiritual philosophy, in the sense that it explores Plato’s theory of forms, and the desire to come to understand the real as opposed to the shadowy world in which we live. It is the concept that the spirit is actually the reality, and everything we see is just a reflection of that reality. In a way, this can easily be seen when we look at Plato’s parable of The Cave.

Anyway, it might be better if I refer you to the Wikipedia article since I got pretty lost pretty quickly, but then again maybe that has something to do with me getting older, or it could have more to do with the fact that it is no doubt the type of book that sits in a university library that is really only utilised by PhD students, or by students who happen to be studying Ancient Philosophy, of which I am neither. However, I’m not going to trash the book, because it certainly does serve its purpose, however where I’m concerned, it is probably only good for leaving on your coffee table, or on the bookshelf in your living room, just to show off to guests.

Mind you, it was interesting to note that a lot of early Islamic thought was shaped by the writings of the Neo-platonists, but then again the Islamic countries, after the fall of the Roman Empire, have become the centre of learning. Remember, a lot of modern mathematical concepts actually came out of the Middle East. The problem was that a lot of this learning was lost when the Mongols invaded. Fortunately, it did eventually find its way to Western Europe through Constantinople.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a field of highly specialized monographs, this little book is a lifeline for the novice. Wallis sketches a clear overview and lays the foundation for further study.

[Joshua Laferriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read up to and including Plotinus. Loved the treatment this author gives, very thorough. Learned about the connection with Origen thanks to this book as well as Numenius.

[Scot · Rating 3 out of 5]

"...the Neoplatonists' style was not such as to attract those trained in philology and literature, while their difficulty obscured (and still tends to obscure) their intellectual merits." — I think I am one of those philological types mentioned here, who are not attracted by the abstractions and endless categorising of philosophy. Nevertheless, through their metaphysics and its theological implications, the Neoplatonists truly open the mind to new worlds. Wallis sums up the value of Neoplatonism thus:

"The dilemma of reason’s place in the spiritual life is, as we have seen, an acute and insoluble one; too rigid a conceptual system leads to ossification, too little rationality to chaos, both in theology and in the individual mind. This dilemma was posed with particular force by the Neoplatonists' historical situation; and whatever criticisms may be made on individual points, their basic reaction was unquestionably a sound one, and a sign of the general sanity and Hellenic moderation of their approach. Their successes and failures have therefore much to teach us in our own spiritual search; for it is on our own success or failure in attaining a due balance that the future of our civilization depends."

Caveat lector: Wallis assumes a basic familiarity with key philosophical terms, and in a work of less than 200 pages he is forced to rush through some extremely complicated ideas; but he remains an excellent overview of Neoplatonism, tracing its origins, developments, and later influence.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this text was written for those schooled in the famous Greek philosophers, I learned enough to to understand the the threads of Greek philosophy emerged in Egyptial Alexandria, and the three monothesistic religions of the world. I also understand that the church domination in the medieval world did not extinguish scholarly thought.

I sought out a historical review of neoplatonism, because the Council at Niocene decided that the works of Plato would not be part of a tome to marry with the Gospels, instead the Torah ws the chosen partner.

Now to read some of the naeoplatonic texts themselves.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't for beginners just getting into philosophy. The author assumes you have intermediate knowledge of Greek concepts.

A bit dry, the book gives a biography on the movements without Neoplatonism and shows the differences between the schools that emerged after Plotinus.

The last chapter is really the most interesting in which Wallis traces Neoplatonic influences, not just through the Eastern and Western middle ages, but also up thru modern philosophy and Hegel.

[Ari von Nordenskjöld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb review of neoplatonism that holds a very high scholarly standard. While I still need to actually read the Enneads (and other important works in the tradition), I now have a great overview and some understanding of the extant divergences between the various thinkers of the school. Highly recommended as an entry point, but beware that it is quite heavy. The language and disposition are as adroit as they can be in a work of this type, but it's still a work meant for scholars - so for those unaccustomed to the language of academic English and philosophy, it might be a bit intimidating.

[Daniel Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is turgid, dense, and incomprehensible - and I say this as someone who actually studied Hellenistic and Koine Greek!

I wish the author spent more time explaining the worldview and cosmology of the Neoplatonists. I was lost in the first chapter because there's hardly any explanation of what any of these terms or concepts mean.

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good and readable book - an introduction really - but informed.

see also http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...