A Perfect Medium?: Oracular Divination in the Thought of PlutarchAn in-depth analysis of oracular divination in Plutarch’s thought Oracular divination was of special concern for Plutarch of Chaeronea (45–120 AD), Platonic philosopher as well as priest at the oracle of Apollo in Delphi. The peculiar nature of Delphic divination as an (im)perfect intermediary between the material and the immaterial world is fathomed in a thorough study of Plutarch’s Delphic dialogues. This in-depth philosophical-conceptual analysis will disclose an original interpretation of oracular divination in Plutarch as interconnected with his psychological and cosmological conceptions. A Perfect Medium? reveals the Delphic temple as a crucial element in Plutarch’s philosophy, as a microcosm reflecting the cosmic dynamics, and as a symbol embodying the relationship between human thirst for knowledge and divine absolute wisdom. |
Contents
Acknowledgements | 9 |
Introduction | 11 |
Chapter 1 An analysis of De Pythiae oraculis | 17 |
Chapter 2 An analysis of De defectu oraculorum | 59 |
Chapter 3 An analysis of De E apud Delphos | 119 |
Chapter 4 Divination and the soul | 179 |
Conclusion | 219 |
Bibliography | 225 |
| 247 | |
Common terms and phrases
according to Plutarch activity Ammonius analysis animae procreatione Apollo apud Delphos Babut Boethus causal Chaeronean character Cleombrotus conception connection cosmic cosmological cosmos defectu oraculorum defined deity Delphic dialogues Delphic oracle Delphic shrine Delphic temple demiurge demonology demons Diogenianus Dionysus divinatory dynamics element employed Epicurean explains expression faculty Ferrari function fundamental genio Socratis god's gods Greek harmonic ibid inspiration intellect intelligible interpretation irrational knowledge Lamprias mantic material myths nature nevertheless notion number five ontological Opsomer oracular divination Osiride peculiar Philinus philosophical physical Plato Plutarch's pneūma present priestess principle procr prophetic providence psychic Pyth Pythia's soul Pythiae oraculis rational realm reason recalls religious ritual role Sarapion sensible Simmias Stoic Stoicism stresses superior supreme symbol theological Theon theoretical theory Timaeus transcendent virtue world soul γὰρ δὲ δύναμις ἐν καὶ κρᾶσις λόγος μὲν νοῦς περὶ πρὸς τὰ τὴν τῆς τὸ τὸν τοῦ τῷ τῶν ὕλη