Platonism

Commentary on the Republic: the Good is more powerful than the Truthin this class we begin to discuss Proclus' defense of Homer in the case of Zeus's sending…

Commentary on the Republic: The Shape of the Godswe discuss Proclus' account of what it means when the gods appear in specific shapes and change shape in the…

Commentary on the Republic: Divine Provocation to Punishmentwe finish the discussion of the temptation of Pandarus and return to the issue of Zeus calling the gods to war.

Commentary on the Republic: Evil in Mythin this class we discuss two problematic passages in Homer, from Socrates' point of view: the description of Zeus as having an…

Commentary on the Republic: Daimones at warwe look into how Proclus applies his way of explaining conflicts of the gods to Homer, saying that the gods are portrayed…

Commentary on the Republic: Wars amongst the Godsin this class we go over Prolcus' allegorical interpretation of war/dissension amongst the goss in myths. He gives 2 (maybe 3)…

Commentary on the Republic: Allegorical Interpretation of Mythscontinuing the discussion

Commentary on the Republic: Every Myth has a Daimonic Surfacewe continue the discussion of the principles of mythical obscenity and the Platonic prooftext for justifying allegorical interpretation of…

Commentary on the Republic: Harmonizing Plato with Platowe start the sixth essay, on harmonizing the Plato that criticizes poets with the Plato that quotes them as authorities, esp.…

Commentary on the Republic: the purpose of poetry and the cosmic poetwe finish essay 5, discussing Proclus' account of what the telos of poetry is and who the…

Commentary on the Republic: Philosophy and the Museswe discuss question 5 of the the fifth essay, on the different kinds of Mousike and the relationship between philosophy and…

Commentary on The Republic: Questions 3 and 4

Commentary on the Republic: Expiation of Passions and Descent of the Soulwe continue reading the fifth essay, this time dealing with Proclus' views ok tragedy and his criticism…

Commentary on the Republic: Mimesis and Varietywe start our new reading course on Proclus' Commentary on Plato's Republic, specifically on the 5th and 6th essays. We start today…

Elements of Theology: the final descent of the soul and end of the coursewe discuss: - why do Platonist physics? - ET 209-211: Proclus on the descent of…

Elements of Theology: IntroductionThis is the first in a series of classes I am teaching on Proclus' Elements of Theology to @YitzchokLowy , who asks the best questions.…

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…