Platonism

Commentary on the Republic: Allegorical Interpretation of Myths continuing the discussion

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

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

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

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

Commentary on The Republic: Questions 3 and 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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…

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

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