neoplatonism
Late-antique philosophical synthesis
Neoplatonism is a philosophical system developed in the third century CE, building on Plato's ideas about reality existing in hierarchical levels—from a supreme divine unity down through mind and soul to the material world.
The philosophy emphasizes mystical ascent toward union with the divine through contemplation.
Neoplatonism profoundly influenced Christian, Jewish, and Islamic thought, and resurged during the Renaissance.
Her poetry reflects neoplatonist themes of spiritual transcendence.
Mystical absorption into ultimate reality
- theurgyRitual invoking gods
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- ascentUpward movement
- illuminationProvision of light
ecstasy · gnosis · union · purification · divinization · ineffable · silence · vision
Something that flows out
- hypostasisUnderlying essence or substance
- nousFaculty of rational thought
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- substancePhysical material with mass
archetype · monad · procession · return · participation · matter · privation · potentiality
Pseudonymous late-antique theologian
- PlatoGreek philosopher, academy founder
- AugustineFourth-century church father
- AcademyElite scholarly institution
- AlexandriaEgyptian Mediterranean port
Aesthetic excellence
- formShape or document
- proportionComparative relation of parts
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- splendorImpressive, striking beauty
radiance · ascent · eros · symmetry · manifestation · theophany · symbol · image
Spirit animating all existence
- emanationSomething that flows out
- cosmosOrderly totality of existence
- celestial spheresAncient cosmos's rotating layers
- demiurgeDivine cosmic craftsman
nature · generation · elements · macrocosm · microcosm · astrology · providence · fate
European cultural reawakening
- ChristianityFaith based on Jesus
- KabbalahJewish esoteric tradition
- RomanticismEmotion-centered artistic movement
- medieval philosophyMiddle Ages intellectual inquiry
Sufism · Gnosticism · Hermeticism · theosophy · perennial philosophy · negative theology
henosis
Mystical absorption into ultimate reality
- theurgyRitual invoking gods
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- ascentUpward movement
illumination · ecstasy · gnosis · union · purification · divinization · ineffable · silence · vision · prayer
emanation
Something that flows out
- hypostasisUnderlying essence or substance
- nousFaculty of rational thought
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
substance · archetype · monad · procession · return · participation · matter · privation · potentiality · actuality
Pseudo-Dionysius
Pseudonymous late-antique theologian
beauty
Aesthetic excellence
- formShape or document
- proportionComparative relation of parts
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
splendor · radiance · ascent · eros · symmetry · manifestation · theophany · symbol · image · archetype
world-soul
Spirit animating all existence
- emanationSomething that flows out
- cosmosOrderly totality of existence
- celestial spheresAncient cosmos's rotating layers
demiurge · nature · generation · elements · macrocosm · microcosm · astrology · providence · fate · sympathy
Renaissance
European cultural reawakening
- ChristianityFaith based on Jesus
- KabbalahJewish esoteric tradition
- RomanticismEmotion-centered artistic movement
medieval philosophy · Sufism · Gnosticism · Hermeticism · theosophy · perennial philosophy · negative theology
- Greek conceptslogos, ethos, pathos, hubris, arete
- philosophiesempiricism, stoicism, nihilism, idealism, materialism
- PlatoPlato, academy, Academy, allegory, the Republic
- idealismideals, ideality, Plato, Kant, Hegel
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
- Renaissance LiteratureShakespeare, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, The Prince, Don Quixote
neoplatonismmaterialism
Prioritizing goods over spirit
physicalism · atomism · naturalism · Epicureanism · nominalism
neoplatonismempiricism
Knowledge through observation
positivism · sensationalism · pragmatism · scientific method · nominalism