Neoplatonism

Definition

Neoplatonism is a philosophical system that emerged in the 3rd century AD, building upon the ideas of Plato and his followers. It emphasizes the existence of a single, ultimate reality from which all things originate and to which all things aspire to return, known as the 'One' or the 'Absolute'. Neoplatonism had a significant influence on both philosophical and religious thought, particularly in the context of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Neoplatonism was a dominant philosophical and religious movement in the late Roman and early Byzantine eras, influencing both pagan and Christian thinkers.
2. Neoplatonists believed that the ultimate reality, the One, is beyond all categories and attributes, and can only be approached through a process of intellectual and spiritual purification.
3. The Neoplatonic concept of emanation, where all things are believed to originate from the One and ultimately return to it, had a significant impact on Jewish, Christian, and Islamic theology.
4. Neoplatonism emphasized the importance of the soul's journey towards union with the divine, through a process of ascent and purification.
5. Neoplatonism's emphasis on the transcendent nature of the divine and the soul's journey towards union with the divine influenced the development of mystical traditions within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Review Questions

• Explain how Neoplatonism influenced the development of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic philosophy.
  • Neoplatonism had a significant impact on the philosophical and theological developments within the Abrahamic faiths. The Neoplatonic concept of the ultimate, transcendent reality known as the 'One' or the 'Absolute' was influential in shaping the understanding of the divine within these traditions. Additionally, the Neoplatonic emphasis on the soul's journey towards union with the divine through a process of purification and ascent resonated with the mystical and contemplative aspects of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic thought. Neoplatonism's influence can be seen in the writings of prominent thinkers within these traditions, such as Philo of Alexandria, Augustine of Hippo, and Al-Farabi, who incorporated Neoplatonic ideas into their own philosophical and theological frameworks.
• Analyze the Neoplatonic concept of emanation and its implications for the relationship between the divine and the material world.
  • The Neoplatonic concept of emanation is central to understanding the Neoplatonic worldview and its influence on philosophical and religious thought. Emanation posits that all things originate from the ultimate, transcendent reality known as the 'One' or the 'Absolute', and that these things are a less perfect reflection of the divine. This process of emanation creates a hierarchy of existence, with the material world being the furthest removed from the pure, immaterial divine. This understanding of the relationship between the divine and the material world had significant implications for how Jewish, Christian, and Islamic thinkers conceptualized the nature of God, the soul, and the purpose of human existence. The Neoplatonic emphasis on the soul's journey towards union with the divine, through a process of purification and ascent, was deeply influential in the development of mystical and contemplative traditions within these faiths.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Neoplatonism on the historiography and the history of philosophy, particularly in the context of its influence on Jewish, Christian, and Islamic thought.
  • Neoplatonism's influence on the historiography and the history of philosophy is profound, as it shaped the philosophical and theological developments within the Abrahamic faiths in profound ways. The Neoplatonic emphasis on the transcendent nature of the divine, the concept of emanation, and the soul's journey towards union with the divine had a lasting impact on how Jewish, Christian, and Islamic thinkers approached questions of metaphysics, epistemology, and the nature of the divine. The incorporation of Neoplatonic ideas into the philosophical and theological frameworks of these traditions has led to a rich and complex intellectual history, as scholars have grappled with the tensions and synergies between Neoplatonism and the core tenets of these faiths. The historiography of philosophy must therefore account for the significant role that Neoplatonism played in shaping the development of philosophical and religious thought, particularly in the context of the Abrahamic traditions, and its enduring legacy in the history of ideas.

Related terms

The One: The ultimate, transcendent source of all existence in Neoplatonism, often described as the Absolute or the Divine.

Emanation: The process by which all things are believed to originate from the One in Neoplatonism, with each level of existence being a less perfect reflection of the One.

Plotinus: The most influential Neoplatonist philosopher, who developed the core principles of Neoplatonism in the 3rd century AD.