Neoplatonism

American  

[nee-oh-pleyt-n-iz-uhm] / ˌni oʊˈpleɪt nˌɪz əm /

noun

1. Sometimes neoplatonism 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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Other Word Forms

• Neoplatonic adjective
• Neoplatonist noun

Etymology

Origin of Neoplatonism

First recorded in 1835–45; neo- + Platonism

Example Sentences

Access to Plato’s complete works changed that, and many scholars were influenced by Byzantine Neoplatonism, an intellectual movement that sought to synthesize the ideas of Plato, Aristotle, the Stoic philosophers, and Arabic philosophy.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

The key metaphysical problem in Neoplatonism was accounting for how a perfect God could create a universe that was manifestly imperfect.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Neoplatonism arose during a time of cultural ferment in the Roman Empire, incorporating ideas borrowed from sources such as Judaism and early Christianity.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Plotinus believed that he was simply an expositor of Plato’s work, but the philosophy he developed, known as Neoplatonism, expanded on Plato’s idea.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Porphyry marks the transition to the Neoplatonism which subordinated itself entirely to the polytheistic cults, and which strove, above all, to defend the old Greek and Oriental religions against the formidable assaults of Christianity.

From History of Dogma, Volume 1 (of 7) by Buchanan, Neil