The origin of the division between Middle Platonism and Neoplatonism

TY - JOUR

T1 - The origin of the division between Middle Platonism and Neoplatonism

AU - Catana, Leo

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - The division of Ancient Platonism into Middle Platonism and Neoplatonism is a fairly new one. The conceptual foundation of this division was cemented in Jacob Brucker's pioneering Historia critica philosophiae (1742-67). In the 1770s and 1780s, the term 'Neoplatonism' was coined on the basis of Brucker's analysis. Three historiographical concepts were decisive to Brucker: 'system of philosophy', 'eclecticism' and 'syncretism'. By means of these concepts, he characterized Middle Platonism and Neoplatonism as opposing philosophical movements, the former being a genuine form of Platonism, the latter a false form. However, the division is untenable and we ought to abandon it.

AB - The division of Ancient Platonism into Middle Platonism and Neoplatonism is a fairly new one. The conceptual foundation of this division was cemented in Jacob Brucker's pioneering Historia critica philosophiae (1742-67). In the 1770s and 1780s, the term 'Neoplatonism' was coined on the basis of Brucker's analysis. Three historiographical concepts were decisive to Brucker: 'system of philosophy', 'eclecticism' and 'syncretism'. By means of these concepts, he characterized Middle Platonism and Neoplatonism as opposing philosophical movements, the former being a genuine form of Platonism, the latter a false form. However, the division is untenable and we ought to abandon it.

U2 - 10.1515/apeiron-2012-0029

DO - 10.1515/apeiron-2012-0029

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0003-6390

VL - 46

SP - 166

EP - 200

JO - Apeiron - a Journal for Ancient Philosophy and Science

JF - Apeiron - a Journal for Ancient Philosophy and Science

IS - 2

ER -