Six Lectures on the Philosophers
of the Platonic Tradition

During the winter of 2012 the Trust is planning to offer lectures on Apuleius, Plotinus, Porphyry, Iamblichus, Proclus and Damascius - six of the great thinkers of late antiquity: each lecture will look briefly at the life of the philosopher (as far as details are known), and then move on to consider the writings and philosophy of each, and the contribution each made to the philosophic tradition. Each lecture to be given at New Acropolis, 19 Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN and repeated at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (Queens Square, Bath, BA1 2HN). See below for full details.

1) Apuleius - Tales of Truth lecture by Tim Addey

New Acropolis, London: 24th January. BRLSI, Bath: 28th February

Apuleius (125-180 CE) was a Platonic philosopher of some note: two Platonic works of his survive – On the God of Socrates and On the Philosophy of Plato.  However, he is best known for his authorship of the first extant novel of the West, The Golden Ass – and it is in this wonderful work that his grasp of Platonic ideas is seen at its best and most subtle. In its kaleidoscope of stories within stories, he weaves tales of remarkable beauty and charm, of which that of Cupid and Psyche is central. Apuleius was an initiate of at least two mystery cults (Isis and Dionysus) and a priest of Aesculapius – and he brings to his writings many insights which must have derived from his experiences within these institutions. After a brief look at his own dramatic history, the lecture will explore the philosophy of this unique writer.

2) Plotinus - The Philosopher lecture by Guy Wyndham-Jones

New Acropolis, London: 7th February. BRLSI, Bath: 13th March

Plotinus, (c 204 – 270 CE), is one of those extremely rare souls who are able to combine penetrative vision, comprehensive expression, and the reality of experience into one profoundly purposeful life. As the great revealer of the truths of the Platonic tradition prior to him, to that yet to come, he is at once a true lover and an intimate of wisdom, a philosopher in the best and most potent manner. His vision and love shine through his life and his works, and the wisdom to which this love ever draws him is not human, but is divine, and is the first wisdom. The present lecture will be a tribute to this powerful philosopher, and will draw upon both his life and his teaching in order to reveal again the ardent love and precious wisdom of this exemplary philosophic soul.

3) Proclus - A Man for All Reasons lecture by Guy Wyndham-Jones

New Acropolis, London: 21st February. BRLSI, Bath 27th March

Proclus Lycaeus, (412 – 485 CE), also known as ‘the Platonic Successor’, stands out as being one of the most extraordinary philosophic characters of any tradition, culture or race to have spent a lifetime devoting himself to the benefit of mankind, and to the unceasing development of his own immortal soul, in order that the profundities of the works of Plato may be presented to genuine lovers of wisdom in a truly beneficial manner. Proclus’ own works are remarkable both for their scientific wisdom and resplendent beauty, and abound in a kind of grandeur of vision and diction which is so extremely rare during his or any other time. The present lecture is a celebration of this life, and of the truth and boniform beauty that permeate and adorn his productions, and will give many delightful examples of each in order to illustrate the deep inspiration of this great and timeless soul.

4) Iamblichus - the Divine Philosopher lecture by Dr Crystal Addey

New Acropolis, London: 6th March. BRLSI, Bath 10th April

Iamblichus (c 245-325 CE) played an important role in the development of late Platonism (or what is sometimes called neoplatonism). Like his contemporary Plotinus, Iamblichus revisited the writings of Plato in order to bring into a more open light, the subtleties of the dialogues around which the Platonic tradition is woven. Iamblichus brought a profound understanding of Oriental wisdom to the Greek tradition, as indicated by his most famous extant work – On the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans and Assyrians.  Overarching all his writings and teachings is the affirmation that philosophy is a divine work which draws the human towards a godlike form, enabling us to play our role in a divine Cosmos.

5) Porphyry - the Compassionate Philosopher lecture by Dr Crystal Addey

New Acropolis, London: 20th March. BRLSI, Bath 24th April

Porphyry (c 234-305 CE) was a pupil of Plotinus and the editor of his teacher’s Enneads. His understanding of the Platonic tradition is infused with compassion and with the best form of humanism – that is to say, he sees the human being as a self-determined creature full of intellectual and divine powers. His writings ranged across a variety of topics – Aristotle’s analytical philosophy, the philosophy and symbolism of myth, ethics (including our relation to our fellow animals), the questions raised by oracles and divinatory practices, and an examination of the emerging Christian teachings (which resulted in Porphyry’s works being amongst the most often burnt in subsequent times).

6) Damascius - Dialectic and Divine Riddles lecture by Tim Addey

New Acropolis, London: 3rd April. BRLSI, Bath 8th May

Damascius (c 458-538 AD) was the last head of the Platonic Academy in Athens before its closure by imperial edict in 529. His writings build upon a long tradition of both Greek and non-Greek learning, encompassing dialectic, mystery teachings and mythology. Writing in his commentary on Plato’s Phaedo, he says, “Philosophic dialectic should begin in divine riddles, or end in them, or both . . .”  The most extensive treatise of his extant works is Problems and Solutions Concerning First Principles, and, as Professor Sara Abel-Rappe says in her introduction to the first full English translation of this work, “it represents the last surviving independent philosophical treatise from the Academy.” The lecture will explore the man, his philosophy and his works.

Lectures at both New Acropolis and the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution will begin at 7.30 pm. Fees will be £5 (£3 concessions) per lecture or £25/£15 for all six.

Please click here for further details of the New Acropolis, and here for details of BRLSI.

LECTURERS

Tim Addey is the chairman of the Prometheus Trust and one of its tutors. He is the author of several introductory books on the Platonic Tradition.

Guy Wyndham-Jones was a founding trustee of the Prometheus Trust and is head of education for the Trust. He is the author of Release Thyself - Three Philosophic Dialogues, as well as a contributor of essays to the Trust’s Students’ Edition Series of paperbacks.

Dr Crystal Addey is a trustee of the Trust, and a lecturer in Classics at Lampeter University and also works for the extra-mural department of Cardiff University.

Do you run a philosophy group in your area, or are you wanting to start one? Click here to see how the Prometheus Trust can help.