Greek Philosophy and Philosophers in the 3rd-6th Cent. CE. From Plotinus to the Last Alexandrian Commentators

This contribution will discuss those Greek philosophers who, between the 3rd and the 6th cent. AD, described themselves – or were described by other sources – as “Platonists” (platonikoi). This group includes those philosophers who are generally brought together under the label of “Neoplatonism”, in keeping with what is still a widespread perspective among non-specialists. According to such perspective, Neoplatonism was an organic and coherent current of thought that was inaugurated, in the 3rd cent. AD, by Plotinus, who thus came to be regarded as the head of the school by all subsequent philosophers, down to the last representatives of the School of Athens in the 6th cent. AD. In fact, authoritative scholars have long exposed the inadequacy of this category and of the historical reconstruction it entails. These scholars have noted that although the philosophers from the period in question constantly refer to the texts and doctrines of Plato, the ways in which they conceive Platonism are far from consistent. Even at an institutional level, the adjective “Platonist” is recorded in relation to very different realities. For example, around the mid-3rd cent. the expression Platonikoi diadochoi (lit. “Platonist successors”) was used to describe the professors of Platonist philosophy employed by the Academy in Athens (as confirmed by Eubulus and Theodotus around AD 260). However, by the 4th cent. the same expression had come to specifically describe those philosophers who had taken the place of previous directors as the heads of the School of Athens, a private centre for the teaching of Platonic philosophy which in all likelihood was quite distinct from the Academy and which relied on regulations, means of perpetuation and funding that were independent of the State and civic authorities. Moreover, the role which Plotinus played with respect to his successors was not at all that of the undisputed head of the school. His own pupil and editor Porphyry made methodological and doctrinal choices which in many ways went against those of his master; and while later philosophers certainly relied on Plotinus’ key concepts, for the most part they harshly criticised him. Plotinus would appear to have offered a very personal version of Platonism, which is why he will be discussed separately here. Platonists after Porphyry may instead be seen to follow the same trajectory, significant divergences and contrasts notwithstanding.