"Neoplatonism is a version of Platonic philosophy that emerged in the 3rd century AD against the background of Hellenistic philosophy and religion."
A philosophy that seeks to reconcile the teachings of Plato with Christian theology.
Neoplatonism: A philosophical school of thought that originated in the third century AD from the teachings of Plotinus. It emphasizes the existence of an ultimate reality, or "the One," which encompasses all things and is the source of all being.
Renaissance Literature: The literary works that were produced during the Renaissance era, approximately from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century AD. It is characterized by a renewed interest in classical art, culture, and literature.
Humanism: A cultural and intellectual movement that emerged during the Renaissance, emphasizing the value and potential of the human being. It sought to revive the classical ideals of reason, individuality, and self-expression.
Platonic love: A concept that derives from the writings of Plato, in which love is seen as a means to attain knowledge of the eternal and unchanging forms or ideas.
Christian Neoplatonism: The merging of Neoplatonic philosophy with Christian theology, which emerged during the Late Antiquity period and was continued by Renaissance scholars.
The One: Refers to the ultimate reality that Neo-Platonists believe exist. The One is beyond being, beyond any finite entity, and is the source of all existence.
The Divine Mind: The second hypostasis of the Neoplatonic triad, is the realm where the hypostasis of the One reflects and knows itself, creating the cosmos and the Intelligences.
The Soul: The third hypostasis of the Neoplatonic triad, that is responsible for individuals' characteristics and links the individual to the cosmos.
Renaissance humanism and Neoplatonism: How the two concepts complemented each other, often merging, as Renaissance literature saw many humanists using the ideas of Neoplatonic philosophy to inform their own work.
Renaissance Neoplatonic writers: The philosophers, poets and mystics who incorporated and popularized the Neoplatonic philosophies in their Renaissance literature. Some popular names include Marsilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola and Giordano Bruno.
Academic Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the philosophical tradition of Plato and his followers as developed in the academy.
Alexandrian Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the work of Plotinus and his followers as developed in Alexandria.
Theurgic Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the spiritual practices and rituals performed to attain union with the divine.
Renaissance Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the revival of classical philosophy and thought in the Renaissance.
Christian Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the integration of Neoplatonic thought with Christian theology.
Magical Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the use of magical practices and occultism to attain spiritual enlightenment.
Iamblichean Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the teachings of Iamblichus who believed in the mystical aspects of Neoplatonism.
Eclectic Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the synthesis of various Neoplatonic ideas and influences into a unique system of thought.
Philosophical Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the intellectual and scholarly pursuits of Neoplatonic thought.
Renaissance Humanistic Neoplatonism: It emphasizes the humanistic ideals of the Renaissance along with Neoplatonic philosophy.
"Neoplatonism began with Ammonius Saccas and his student Plotinus (c. 204/5–271 AD)."
"Among the common ideas it maintains is monism, the doctrine that all of reality can be derived from a single principle, 'the One'."
"Neoplatonism...stretched to the 6th century AD."
"After Plotinus there were three distinct periods in the history of neoplatonism: the work of his student Porphyry (3rd to early 4th century); that of Iamblichus (3rd to 4th century); and the period in the 5th and 6th centuries, when the Academies in Alexandria and Athens flourished."
"Neoplatonism had an enduring influence on the subsequent history of Western philosophy and religion."
"In the Middle Ages, neoplatonic ideas were studied and discussed by Christian, Jewish, and Muslim thinkers."
"notable philosophers such as al-Farabi, Solomon ibn Gabirol (Avicebron), Avicenna (Ibn Sina), and Moses Maimonides incorporated neoplatonic elements into their own thinking."
"Christian philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) had direct access to the works of Proclus, Simplicius of Cilicia, and Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, and he knew about other Neoplatonists, such as Plotinus and Porphyry, through second-hand sources."
"The German mystic Meister Eckhart (c. 1260 – c. 1328) was also influenced by neoplatonism, propagating a contemplative way of life which points to the Godhead beyond the nameable God."
"Neoplatonism also had a strong influence on the perennial philosophy of the Italian Renaissance thinkers Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola."
"Neoplatonism continues through 19th-century Universalism and modern-day spirituality."
"Neoplatonic texts were available in Arabic and Persian translations."
"Neoplatonism is a version of Platonic philosophy that emerged in the 3rd century AD against the background of Hellenistic philosophy and religion."
"The work of his student Porphyry (3rd to early 4th century); that of Iamblichus (3rd to 4th century); and the period in the 5th and 6th centuries, when the Academies in Alexandria and Athens flourished."
"Among the common ideas it maintains is monism, the doctrine that all of reality can be derived from a single principle, 'the One'."
"In the Middle Ages, neoplatonic ideas were studied and discussed by Christian, Jewish, and Muslim thinkers."
"Christian philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) had direct access to the works of Proclus, Simplicius of Cilicia, and Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite."
"Thomas Aquinas knew about other Neoplatonists, such as Plotinus and Porphyry, through second-hand sources."
"The German mystic Meister Eckhart (c. 1260 – c. 1328) was also influenced by neoplatonism, propagating a contemplative way of life which points to the Godhead beyond the nameable God." Note: The selected quotes may need to be revised and condensed for the purpose of direct quoting.