Neo-Platonism

British  

/ ˌniːəʊˈpleɪtəˌnɪzəm, ˌniːəʊpləˈtɒnɪk /

noun

1. a philosophical system which was first developed in the 3rd century _ad as a synthesis of Platonic, Pythagorean, and Aristotelian elements, and which, although originally opposed to Christianity, later incorporated it. It dominated European thought until the 13th century and re-emerged during the Renaissance

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Other Word Forms

• Neo-Platonic adjective
• Neo-Platonist noun

Example Sentences

Platonism, with its account of the universe’s creation by a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, could be invoked to support this view—indeed, the idea of microcosm and macrocosm derived from neo-Platonism; but even Aristotelian philosophy, which held the universe to be eternal, assumed that human beings have all the faculties required to understand the universe.

From Literature

The claim that Copernicus was influenced by neo-Platonism has been contested: Rosen, ‘Was Copernicus a Neoplatonist?’

From Literature

In the silence of proof-reading, a question would float out: “Neo-platonism?”

From The Guardian

I like Christianity, you’re into neo-Platonism.

From Scientific American

Coming at the end of the Renaissance, a period known for the development of scientific inquiry, humanism, neo-Platonism and other forms of thought that would lead toward a more secular world, Vanni’s map is striking.

From New York Times