Although Neoplatonism has long been studied by classicists, until recently most philosophers saw the ideas of Plotinus et al as a lot of religious/magical mumbo-jumbo. Recent work however has provided a new perspective on the philosophical issues in Neoplatonism and Pauliina Remes new introduction to the subject is the first to take account of this fresh research and provides a reassessment of Neoplatonism's philosophical credentials. Covering the Neoplatonic movement from its founder, Plotinus (AD 204-70) to the closure of Plato's Academy in AD 529 Remes explores the ideas of leading Neoplatonists such as Porphyry, lamblichus, Proclus, Simplicius and Damascius as well as less well-known thinkers. Situating their ideas alongside classical Platonism, Stoicism, and the neo-Pythagoreans as well as other intellectual movements of the time such as Gnosticism, Judaism and Christianity, Remes provides a valuable survey for the beginning student and non-specialist.

Pauliina Remes is a lecturer in theoretical philosophy at Uppsala University, Sweden. She is the author of Plotinus on Self: The Philosophy of "We".

Preface 1. Introduction 2. The first principles and the metaphysical hierarchy 3. Nature and the sensible universe 4. Human being and the self 5. Epistemology and philosophical psychology 6. Ethics and politics 7. The Neoplatonic legacy Glossary of terms Guide to further reading References Index