History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 319 - Georgia on My Mind - Petritsi and the Proclus Revival
Feb 24, 2019
Explore the intriguing interplay between Proclus and early Christian thinkers. Discover how Ioane Petritsi championed Neoplatonism in medieval Georgia, creatively merging it with Christian ideas. Learn about the philosophical rifts stirred by Nicholas of Methone and the contrasting views on Proclus. The podcast highlights how critics from different traditions engaged with each other's thoughts, shaping the evolution of philosophy during this fascinating era.
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Proclus' Rational Paganism
- Proclus defended paganism through a rational, axiomatic Neoplatonic system excluding explicit pagan gods.
- His 'Elements of Theology' aimed to systematically present pagan religious principles with philosophical rigor.
Nicholas Critiques Proclus' Polytheism
- Nicholas of Methone refuted Proclus, viewing his system as a philosophical basis for polytheism.
- He defended Christian monotheism, criticizing Proclus' hierarchy and theological claims.
Byzantine Responses to Proclus
- Byzantine intellectuals adopted diverse strategies dealing with Proclus, from critique to Christianizing his Neoplatonism.
- This reflects ongoing philosophical dialogue between pagan philosophy and Christian theology in Byzantium.
