Plato and Plotinus on Mysticism, Epistemology, and Ethics

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Description

This book argues against the common view that there are no essential differences between Plato and the Neoplatonist philosopher, Plotinus, on the issues of mysticism, epistemology, and ethics. Beginning by examining the ways in which Plato and Plotinus claim that it is possible to have an ultimate experience that answers the most significant philosophical questions, David J. Yount provides an extended analysis of why we should interpret both philosophers as mystics. The book then moves on to demonstrate that both philosophers share a belief in non-discursive knowledge and the methods to attain it, including dialectic and recollection, and shows that they do not essentially differ on any significant views on ethics. Making extensive use of primary and secondary sources, Plato and Plotinus on Mysticism, Epistemology and Ethics shows the similarities between the thought of these two philosophers on a variety of philosophical questions, such as meditation, divination, wisdom, knowledge, truth, happiness and love.

Reviews

The book offers a felicitous opportunity for mining primary and secondary sources for anyone who is interested in the subjects of Platonic discursive and non-discursive thought, the tension between spiritual ascent and epistemology, or between divine gift and human virtue. * Journal of the History of Philosophy *
This book makes an in-depth, compelling case for essential similarities between the philosophical doctrines of Plato and Plotinus. It also provides a clear and concise introduction to those doctrines, and to scholarly issues surrounding its topic. -- Michael Wagner, Professor of Philosophy, University of San Diego, USA
[This] book is highly accomplished in its scholarship and clear both in its structure and its style [Its] grasp of the detail and its critical comparison are formidable. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *

Author Bio

David J. Yount is Professor of Philosophy and former chair of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Mesa Community College, USA.