platonism's Full Review: Lucas Siorvanes - Proclus: Neo-Platonic Philosophy...
The Neoplatonist Proclus (412-485) is one of the most fascinating of all ancient Greek philosophers. Trained in logic and sciences, he was familiar with the work of Euclid and Ptolemy, among others; after having studied Aristotle as he began the Neoplatonic curriculum, he embarked on the study of Plato, and also of his own predecessors (Plotinus, Porphyry, Iamblichus...) and masters (Plutarch of Athens, Syrianus). His writings also include allusions to Homer, Orphism, and a mysterious religious text known as the Chaldean Oracles. In addition to writing books, he also taught; he was known as Proklos Diadochos, i.e. as a successor of Plato.
Proclus' best-known work is his Elements of Theology, whose influence on medieval thought is essential (through a compilation titled Liber de Causis), is very systematic and even axiomatic. On the other hand, most of his other works are full of digressions, anecdotes and fervent passages. His polyvalence has brought him a lot of criticism: some have objected to his more systematic works and deemed him 'the first scholastic'; others have rather accused him of superstition. Yet his wide interests and religious universalism are precisely what makes him so unique.
The last ten years have been eventful for readers of Proclus: the French edition of the Platonic Theology has been completed, and in its wake numerous studies on that seminal work and on other aspects of Proclus' thought have appeared; after decades of neglect, Proclus has been rehabilitated as a mystic. Young scholars in particular have tried to understand the late Neoplatonists' spirituality in all of its complexity.
This impressive book by Lucas Siorvanes was also published during that span, but it is less preoccupied with Proclus' mysticism than with the scientific implications of his thought. It accomplishes a daunting task that few scholars dared to attempt in the past: introducing the reader to Proclean metaphysics and physics in about 300 pages.
The first chapter gives some information on Proclus' life and his influence on subsequent thinkers. Siorvanes then goes on to consider all the levels of reality and knowledge according to Proclus. Key notions such as similarity, participation and causation are judiciously explained, with numerous excerpts taken from Proclus' writings. Siorvanes often uses everyday examples to elucidate some complex points, and does so convincingly.
The last two chapters are devoted to 1) Proclus' theories about the elements, space, matter and motion, as Siorvanes often compares his thought with Aristotle's on these same subjects; and 2) Proclus' theories on the celestial bodies, notably how he uses Plato's philosophy to elucidate some difficulties.
Siorvanes' overall agenda is such that very little space (about 15 pages) is awarded to myth and theurgy; readers should be aware that these aspects are central to Proclus' life and thought. Theurgy can be traced back to the Chaldean Oracles; it was first introduced in Neoplatonism by Porphyry (234-305), and then substantially developed by Iamblichus (250-325). Proclus' philosophy of myth appears in many of his works, but nowhere more than in his vast Commentary on the Republic.
In spite of this caveat, the book is well worth reading by students of Neoplatonism. Some previous knowledge of ancient Greek philosophy (especially Plato and Aristotle) is necessary in order to get the most out of it.
(I wish to conclude this review with some reading suggestions. There are many extant works by Proclus. Where should the newcomer start? The first step would be to read the Life of Proclus written by his disciple Marinus, and also Proclus' hymns. Where to go next? Here are a few suggestions: readers interested in the history of mathematics should look for Proclus' Commentary on Euclid's Elements; those intrigued by theurgy should read the short work On the hieratic art - it can easily be found on the Internet; those into metaphysics and theology should turn to the Elements of Theology and the Platonic Theology; as for Proclus' commentaries on Plato's dialogues, the Commentary on the Alcibiades serves as an excellent introduction to his philosophical exegesis.)
N.B.: An earlier version of this review was submitted to Amazon.com under the same nickname.
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