“Neo” means new. It is a new interpretation of Plato’s philosophy, more spiritual and mystical than Plato’s original ideas. Neo-Platonism is a philosophy about reality, God, and the soul. It teaches that everything comes from one ultimate source, and that the human soul wants to return to that source.
Plotinus is universally recognized as the founder of Neo-Platonism.
- He lived in the 3rd century CE
- He developed Neo-Platonism as a distinct philosophical system
- His teachings form the core of Neo-Platonism
- His philosophy is preserved in the Enneads
Porphyry was:
- A direct student of Plotinus
- The editor and systematizer of Plotinus’ teachings
- The person who compiled and published the Enneads
- Without Porphyry, Neo-Platonism would not have existed as a coherent, transmitted school of philosophy.
Year-wise PYQs
