Radek Chlup

Neoplatonism represents a significant development in Platonic philosophy, emerging in the 3rd century AD within the context of Hellenistic thought and religion. It is characterized less by a rigid set of doctrines and more by a lineage of thinkers who shared certain core ideas, most notably monism – the concept that all reality stems from a singular, ultimate principle known as "the One." This philosophical current began with Ammonius Saccas and his student Plotinus, extending through figures like Porphyry and Iamblichus, and culminating in the flourishing academies of Alexandria and Athens in the 5th and 6th centuries.

The influence of Neoplatonism has been extensive and enduring, impacting Christian, Jewish, and Muslim thinkers throughout the Middle Ages. Its ideas were translated and integrated into Islamic philosophy by scholars such as al-Farabi and Avicenna, and Christian theologians like Thomas Aquinas engaged with Neoplatonic texts. Mystics such as Meister Eckhart and Renaissance philosophers like Marsilio Ficino also drew heavily from Neoplatonic thought, demonstrating its continued relevance through centuries of intellectual and spiritual inquiry.

Neoplatonism arose in the 3rd century AD, primarily associated with Ammonius Saccas and his student Plotinus (c. 205 – 271 AD), who is often considered its founder. The philosophy continued through distinct periods, including the work of Plotinus's student Porphyry (3rd-4th century), Iamblichus (3rd-4th century), and later thinkers at the academies in Alexandria and Athens (5th-6th centuries). This philosophical tradition synthesized elements from various sources, including Middle Platonism, Neopythagoreanism, and even Hellenized Jewish thought as seen in Philo. While the term "Neoplatonism" is modern, it serves to distinguish the interpretations of Plato by Plotinus and his successors from Plato's original doctrines and earlier Platonic schools.

A central tenet of Neoplatonism is monism, the idea that all reality originates from a single, ultimate principle referred to as "the One." This principle is described as utterly transcendent, beyond all categories of being and non-being, and ineffable. Plotinus taught that concepts like "being" are derived from human experience and thus cannot apply to the ultimate One, which is prior to all existents. This profound metaphysical system had a lasting impact on Western philosophy and religion, influencing Christian, Jewish, and Islamic scholars. Figures like Thomas Aquinas, Meister Eckhart, Marsilio Ficino, and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola incorporated Neoplatonic ideas into their own theological and philosophical frameworks, demonstrating its enduring legacy in mystical and spiritual traditions.

Following Plotinus, the Neoplatonic tradition evolved through significant figures and institutions. Porphyry, a student of Plotinus, wrote extensively on philosophy and religion, notably defending paganism against Christianity. Iamblichus further developed the system, emphasizing a hierarchy of divinities and the concept of theurgy – 'divine-working' – as a means for the soul to return to divinity through ritual practice. The academies in Athens and Alexandria became centers of Neoplatonic thought, where the works of Aristotle were integrated into the curriculum, leading to efforts to harmonize Plato, Aristotle, and Stoic philosophy. The mathematician and philosopher Hypatia also led the Platonist school in Alexandria during this period.

“The gods have proclaimed Christ to have been most pious, but the Christians are a confused and vicious sect.”