Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) John Dillon on Middle Platonism
Apr 18, 2019
Professor John Dillon, an expert in Middle Platonism, discusses the historical significance of Middle Platonism and its transformation from dogmatism to skepticism. He explores the incorporation of the Pythagorean tradition into Platonism and the influential figures of Eudorus of Alexandria, Phileb of Alexandria, and Numinius. The podcast also explores the importance of handbooks in understanding Middle Platonism and the growth of a cosmic principle among Platonists in the second century.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Platonism Recast As A System
- Middle Platonism arose when Plato's successors formalized his ideas into a systematic doctrine across logic, ethics, and physics.
- This formalization began in the late 4th century BC as successors sought to state "what we believe."
Skepticism Interrupted Dogmatic Platonism
- After a dogmatic phase the Academy swung to skepticism in reaction to Stoic dogmatism and returned to Socratic negative inquiry.
- That skeptical phase lasted roughly two centuries before a dogmatic revival under Antiochus.
Antiochus Reclaims Dogmatic Platonism
- Antiochus of Ascalon reopened Platonism to dogma and reintroduced the threefold division of philosophy.
- Cicero studied with him and criticized Antiochus as too close to Stoicism, showing contemporary debate.