Abstract

In this article, we focus on Proclus' commentary on Plato's Timaeus (30a3-6) about how the divine Demiurge intervenes in matter. It is an interesting extract due to the fact that Proclus manages to combine philosophical perspective with theological interpretation and scientific analysis. In the six chapters of the article, we present the theory on dualism established by the representatives of Middle Platonism, we approach the question of the production of the corporeal hypostases, we examine limit and unlimited as productive powers, we explain production in the sense of co-production as well as why matter without qualities is excluded from the entire procedure, and we discuss the principle of the supremacy of the supreme Principle. The most important conclusion drawn according to Proclus, who adopts moderate skepticism, is that, although in his early dialogues Plato tends to dualism, he does this for methodological purposes, for Plato's views are actually connected with ontological monism.

Highlights

  • One of the main characteristics of Neoplatonism was the effort to re-establish – under the new terms and conditions which emerged in the meantime as a result of the development of the history of thought and investigation– the Platonic –and everything that was formed: that is the Aristotelian– philosophy in the field of Cosmology

  • According to the leader of Neoplatonism, all sensible beings receive their being from the fact that they participate in Ideas, namely the products of the Intellect

  • The Neoplatonic philosopher, will attempt to elaborate these views or, at least, to put them in a broader perspective, despite the fact that Plutarch’s and Atticus’ suggestions do not seem to be at a first glance different from what is written in the Platonic text. His main principle will obviously be that matter does not exist on its own, but it is produced by metaphysical powers or divine beings which are gathered together in order to perform production by following a particular plan. He explicitly and by definition tends to ontological monism and his different position from the Platonic dualistic example appears to be crucial, later he will clearly follow a different analysis and different arguments compared to those which he believes that Plato follows

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Summary

Introduction

One of the main characteristics of Neoplatonism was the effort to re-establish – under the new terms and conditions which emerged in the meantime as a result of the development of the history of thought and investigation– the Platonic –and everything that was formed: that is the Aristotelian– philosophy in the field of Cosmology. Proclus the Neoplatonist (412-485) attempted to comment and interpret the Platonic dialogues.3 He synthesized philosophical perspective with theological explanation and scientific analysis, in a way that, despite the epistemological difficulties he had to face, was impressive and could be described as a sort of research modernism. He presented this synthetic –but not paratactic– approach mostly –comparing with the rest of his works– in his major treatise entitled In Platonis Timaeum commentaria.. The most important point of this comment is that Proclus intends to prove that approaching this Platonic extract under the terms and conditions of ontological dualism does not correspond to its true content

The theoretical perspective on dualism of Middle Platonism
The question of the production of the corporeal hypostases
Limit and unlimited as productive powers
Production as co-production
To a further exclusion of matter without qualities
The universal productivity of the supreme Principle
Findings
Conclusions
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