Platonism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Platonism is the philosophy of Plato or the name of other philosophical systems considered closely derived from it. In a narrower sense the term might indicate the doctrine of Platonic realism.
Platonism had a profound effect on Western thought. Like Aristotelianism, Platonism poses an eternal universe, contradicting the nearby Judaic tradition that the universe had been created in historical time, with its continuous history recorded. Unlike Aristotelianism, Platonism describes idea as prior to matter and identifies the person with the soul. Christians, especially in the Latin Church, incorporated Platonism into their philosophy. Platonic ontology poses a transcendental reality that according to Platonic epistemology can be known by reason working from innate ideas. Platonist ethics is based on the Idea of the Good.
[edit] History
Platonism was originally expressed in the dialogues of Plato, in which the figure of Socrates is used to expound certain doctrines, that may or may not be similar to the thought of the historical Socrates, Plato's master. Plato's Academy persisted until Roman emperor Justinian had it closed in AD 529.[1] In the Hellenistic age, the period of Middle Platonism, Platonism's influence appears in the Book of Wisdom and in Philo's works.[1] Plotinus recast Plato's system, establishing Neoplatonism.[1] His disciple, Porphyry, developed the system in conscious opposition to Christianity.[1] The last renowned head of the Academy was Proclus (d. 485), a celebrated commentator on Plato's writings.[1]
Platonism influenced Christianity first through Clement of Alexandria and Origen.[1] Augustine was heavily influenced by Platonism as well, mostly through Victorinus Afer.[1] Platonism was considered authoritative in the Middle Ages, and many Platonic notions are now permanent elements of Latin Christianity.[1] Like pagans had before them, Christians understood Platonic forms as God's thoughts.[1] Platonism also influenced both Eastern and Western mysticism.[1] Meanwhile, Platonism influenced various philosophers.[1] When Aristotle became more renowned than Plato in the 13th century, Aquinas's philosophy was still fundamentally Platonic.[1]
With the Renaissance, scholars became more interested in Plato himself.[1] In 16th, 17th century, and 19th century England, Plato's ideas influenced many religious thinkers.[1] Orthodox Protestantism on continental Europe, however, distrusts natural reason and has often been critical of Platonism.[1]
