ABSTRACT

The Routledge Handbook of Neoplatonism is an authoritative and comprehensive survey of the most important issues and developments in one of the fastest growing areas of research in ancient philosophy. An international team of scholars situates and re-evaluates Neoplatonism within the history of ancient philosophy and thought, and explores its influence on philosophical and religious schools worldwide. Over thirty chapters are divided into seven clear parts:

  • (Re)sources, instruction and interaction
  • Methods and Styles of Exegesis
  • Metaphysics and Metaphysical Perspectives
  • Language, Knowledge, Soul, and Self
  • Nature: Physics, Medicine and Biology
  • Ethics, Political Theory and Aesthetics
  • The legacy of Neoplatonism.

The Routledge Handbook of Neoplatonism is a major reference source for all students and scholars in Neoplatonism and ancient philosophy, as well as researchers in the philosophy of science, ethics, aesthetics and religion.

chapter 1|10 pages

Introduction: Neoplatonism today

part |2 pages

PART I: (RE)SOURCES, INSTRUCTION AND INTERACTION

part |2 pages

PART II: METHODS AND STYLES OF EXEGESIS

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

chapter 7|9 pages

Aristotelian commentary tradition

chapter 8|11 pages

The non-commentary tradition

chapter 9|19 pages

Plotinus’ style and argument

chapter 10|16 pages

Proclus’ geometrical method

part |2 pages

PART III: METAPHYSICS AND METAPHYSICAL PERSPECTIVES

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

chapter 12|18 pages

The metaphysics of the One

chapter 13|16 pages

Number in the metaphysical landscape

chapter 14|15 pages

Substance

chapter 15|14 pages

Matter and evil in the Neoplatonic tradition

part |2 pages

PART IV: LANGUAGE, KNOWLEDGE, SOUL AND SELF

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

chapter 18|13 pages

Iamblichus on soul

chapter 19|17 pages

From Alexander of Aphrodisias to Plotinus

chapter 20|13 pages

Metaphysics of soul and self in Plotinus

part |2 pages

PART V: NATURE: PHYSICS, MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY

part |2 pages

PART VI: ETHICS, POLITICAL THEORY AND AESTHETICS

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

chapter 25|25 pages

Plotinus on metaphysics and morality

chapter 27|16 pages

Freedom, providence and fate

chapter 28|18 pages

Action, reasoning and the highest good

chapter 29|13 pages

Political theory

part |2 pages

PART VII: LEGACY