Select Passages Illustrating Neoplatonism

"Select Passages Illustrating Neoplatonism" is an essential anthology compiled by the renowned scholar E. R. Dodds, designed to provide a comprehensive overview of one of the most influential philosophical movements of late antiquity. Neoplatonism, which emerged in the 3rd century AD, sought to synthesize and expand upon the teachings of Plato, exerting a profound impact on Western mysticism, Christian theology, and Renaissance thought.

This collection features carefully curated excerpts from the works of key figures such as Plotinus, Porphyry, Iamblichus, and Proclus. Through these primary sources, the volume explores central Neoplatonic concepts, including the nature of the One, the emanation of the Intellect and the Soul, and the human journey toward spiritual union with the divine. Dodds provides expert guidance, framing these difficult texts within their historical and intellectual contexts.

Ideal for students of ancient philosophy, classics, and religious studies, "Select Passages Illustrating Neoplatonism" remains a foundational resource for understanding the complexities of Hellenistic metaphysics. It offers a clear window into the rigorous dialectic and mystical aspirations that defined the school, making the profound insights of the Neoplatonists accessible to a modern audience.

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