Le Problème Du Néoplatonisme Alexandrin. Hiéroclès Et Simplicius
Paris: Etudes Augustiniennes, 1978. First edition. Softcover. Quarto. 243, [1]pp. Original printed wrappers with red and black lettering on front cover. As the last great school of Greek philosophy and mysticism, Neoplatonism borrowed from all preceding schools. The influence of Aristotle himself can be found in the Neoplatonic philosophical method and propositions of logic. In its skepticism of empirical knowledge it draws from the Cynic and Pyrrhic line. In its dualistic emanation ist metaphysics and aspiring to the Good in a transcendent spiritual sphere it is clearly a continuation of the Platonic school. Its derivation of all realities from a transcendent One is pure Neopythagoreanism. Its ethics have been adopted from Stoicism, and its conception of the action of the Divine in the world, and the essence and origin of matter, is clearly derived from the dynamic pantheism of Stoicism. Indeed, Neoplatonism could be seen as the culmination of Greek metaphysical thought, not as a mere eclecticism but a true synthesis. The school of Alexandria is not the same as the vibrant academy under Ammonius. It seems to date back to the late fourth and early fifth centuries, represented by the mathematician Theon and his daughter Hypatia, who was martyred by a Christian mob under the instigation of the infamous church leader Cyril. Persecution seems to have been common. Hierocles was flogged by the authorities in Constantinople, despite the fact that his teachings were more monotheistic than those of other pagan Neoplatonists. (Ironically, the school of Alexandria also included among its members a number of Christian philosophers, such as Aeneas and John Philoponus.) It was only with Heimonius and his son Ammonius that a definite succession can be traced at Alexandria. Olympiodorus the Platonic commentator was the last pagan head of the school, after his death it passed into Christian hands under the Aristotelian commentators Elias and David. The school's last head, Stephanus, moved to and became head of an academy in Constantinople in 610. In 641 the Alexandrian school was captured by the Arabs. It thus played an important part in the transmission of Neoplatonic thought to both the Byzantine and the Islamic civilizations. Whereas the Athenian school was strongly influenced by Iamblichus, and shared his enthusiasm for metaphysics, ritual, and paganism, the Alexandrian school concentrated instead on pure scholarship. But despite rivalry between them, the relationships between the two schools were close and intermarriage between their members common; and most representatives taught or studied in both cities before settling down in one. This fascinating study deals with the problem of Alexandrian Neoplatonism through two leading personalities, Hierocles and Simplicius. Text in French. Wrappers and interior in overall very good condition. vg. Item #26396
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