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Neoplatonism

[nee-oh-pleyt-n-iz-uh m]
noun (sometimes lowercase)
  1. a philosophical system, originated in the 3rd century a.d. by Plotinus, founded chiefly on Platonic doctrine and Eastern mysticism, with later influences from Christianity. It holds that all existence consists of emanations from the One with whom the soul may be reunited.
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Origin of Neoplatonism

First recorded in 1835–45; neo- + Platonism
Related formsNe·o·pla·ton·ic [nee-oh-pluh-ton-ik] /ˌni oʊ pləˈtɒn ɪk/, adjectiveNe·o·pla·to·nist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for neoplatonism

Historical Examples

  • He is a representative of the least attractive side of Neoplatonism.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 8

    Various

  • Neoplatonism was a late and decadent form of the Greek philosophies.

    A History of Spain

    Charles E. Chapman

  • But Neoplatonism has itself apostatized from the rational and unitarian.

  • Fourthly, the study of Aristotle also had an influence on Neoplatonism.

  • The Enneads of Plotinus are the fundamental documents of Neoplatonism.

Word Origin and History for neoplatonism

Neoplatonism

n.

also Neo-platonism, 1827, a philosophical and religious system mixing Platonic ideas and oriental mysticism, originating 3c. at Alexandria, especially in writings of Plotinus, Porphyry, and Proclus. Neoplatonian is attested from 1831. Related: Neoplatonic; Neoplatonist.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper