Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) The Great God Pan Lives: Introducing the Athenian Academy
Feb 28, 2024
Explore the lineage of philosophers from the Athenian Academy, the resurgence of late Platonist philosophy, Esoteric Christian ideas in Anatolia, challenges of dating texts in Jewish Late Antiquity, Plutarch's theurgical teachings and successors, metaphysical hierarchies in Late Platonism, and the spiritual legacy of Sirianus and Chaldean Cosmology.
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Academy and Skepticism
- "Academy" originally referred to Plato's school in the Grove of Akademos.
- Later, "academic" became synonymous with skepticism, not Platonism.
Plato's Teaching Style
- Plato taught at the Academy through dialogues, not formal lectures.
- The skeptical Academy focused on questioning everything, unlike dogmatic Platonism.
Neoplatonic Framework
- Plotinus established the standard Neoplatonic metaphysical framework.
- This framework, with One, Nous, Soul, and Cosmos, influenced all later Neoplatonists.