Eros and Psyche: Studies in Plato, Plotinus, and Origen"This study makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of the development of ancient Platonism and of the influence of Greek philosophy on Christian thought. The author examines a number of themes such as Eros, Virtue and Knowledge in the writings of Plato himself, and shows that, in our interpretation of them, we must recognize certain latent contradictions; his successors, however, attempted not always successfully, to form a synthesis of Platonic theory based on the genuinely Platonic motif of the attaining of likeness to God. The author demonstrates that Plato's thought contained within itself unresolved, but philosophically fruitful divergences of opinion on the highest topics: the Good, the nature of love, the aim of the life of virtue. The author suggests that the unity of Plato's thought consists only in certain general beliefs, such as that there are supra-sensible realities and that some aspect of the human soul is immortal. He protests, in passing, against those who look on Plato as the author of a series of tracts: one on the Theory of Forms, one on Aesthetics, another on Statesmanship, and so on." -- Book jacket. |
Contents
PREFACE vii | 2 |
The Good the Forms and Eros in Plato | 16 |
The One Eros and the Progression of | 56 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
able accept according action admit Albinus already appears Aristotle Armstrong assume attain attempt beautiful become believe called cause certainly Christian clear clearly concerned consider contemplation definition Demiourgos described desire dialogues discussion distinction divine doctrine element Epws evidence example existence fact follows Forms further give Gods higher highest human idea implies important interpretation involved kind knowing knowledge later lead least live look maintained means mind moral mystic nature Neoplatonic notion Noûs object opinion Origen Parmenides particular passage perfect perhaps Phaedo Phaedrus Philo philosopher phrase Plato Platonists Plotinian Plotinus position possess possible practice present question reason refers regarded relation remarks Republic result seems seen sense similar Socrates soul speaks suggested suppose teaching tells theory things thought Timaeus true understand union virtue whole writes καὶ τὸ