Elements of Theology by Proclus

Elements of Theology: The Hierarchy of Noeswe discuss prop 179-183, the last propositions on Nous, with a focus on prop. 180, where I differ from Dodds in seeing…

Elements of Theology: The Kinds of Soul and the Separation of the Soul from the BodyWe discuss prop. 184-187 on the different kinds of soul and it's separation…

Elements of Theology: Soul as Source of Lifewe discuss the last two propositions on the nature of the soul, prop. 188-189, where soul is described positively as a…

Elements of Theology: the middle position of the soulWe discuss prop. 190-194 which present many ways in which the soul is between intelligible things and perceptible things and…

Elements of Theology: Knowledge and Body of the Soulwe discuss ET 195 and 196. 195 leads us to the question of the specific representational quality of the souls…

Elements of Theology: The Cycles of The Soulwe discuss prop. 197, on the intermediate character of the soul and 198-200, on how souls always follow cycles and each…

Elements of Theology: The Hierarchy of SoulsWe discuss prop. 201-204 on the activities of divine souls, and the hierarchy of gods, daimones and transmigrating souls. We see how…

Elements of Theology: the descent of the soulwe discuss prop. 205-209, going into the relation between the soul's vehicle and the soul and how the soul descends. 205…

Elements of Theology: Steps of Reversion and Self-ConstitutionWe finish the section on procession and reversion in Proclus' Elements of Theology, discussing props. 36-39, which are especially about how…

Elements of Theology: Multiplicity and UnityIn this second class, we mostly talk about the argument for proposition 1 "Every multitude in some way participates unity", and also about…

Elements of Theology: Unity Itself and the HenadsIn this class, I explain propositions 2-6 of the Elements of Theology, on Unity, how Unity is participated in, why it…

Elements of Theology: Every Cause is Superior to its EffectIn this class, I explain Proposition 7 of Proclus' Elements of Theology "Every productive cause of something else is…

Elements of Theology: On the Good and the Hierarchy of GoodsIn this class, I explain Propositions 8-10 of Proclus' Elements of Theology. We discuss what does it mean…

Elements of Theology : The Identity of Unity, Goodness and CauseIn this class, I explain Propositions 11-13 of Proclus' Elements of Theology. We discuss Proclus' argument for the…

Elements of Theology The Good, Change, and AnalogyIn this class, we start the section 14-20, the third ascent to the first principle after 1-6 (first principle as Unity)…

Elements of Theology: Intentionality, Reflexivity and ChangeIn this class, we discuss prop. 15-17 and the beginning of 20, focusing on Proclus`argument for why mind/soul (psyche) must be separate…

Elements of Theology: The Structure of OrdersIn this class, we discuss the end of prop. 20, on how Unity transcends Nous, and then go into props. 21-22 on…

Elements of Theology: On Forms, Gods and ParticipationIn this class, we discuss propositions 23 and 24 of the Elements of Theology and Proclus' theory of participation more generally.…

Elements of Theology: Perfection, Causes and PermanenceWe discuss propositions 25, 26, and 27 on the consequences for Proclus' theory of causality that the primary Cause is the Good…

Elements of Theology: How are Values Causes? (Part 1 of 2)In this video, I pause the proposition-by-proposition commentary of the Elements to deal with a problem that was…

Elements of Theology: How are Values Causes? (Part 2 of 2)In this video, I complete the explanation of how Values/Goods/Standards can be causes in Proclus, pointing to the…

The Elements of Theology: Like Causes LikeWe discuss propositons 28-30. 28 on how causes produce like effects and not unlike ones, 29 on how the productive power in…

Elements of Theology: Epicycles of ProcessionWe discuss propositions 31-34 of Proclus' Elements of Theology, discussing how: *Every effect symbolizes its cause *Every natural symbol is produced by its…

Elements of Theology: Remaining, Procession and ReversionWe discuss prop. 35 that ends the main discussion of causality in Proclus and we go into many related questions - to…