The Golden Chain by Algis Uzdavinys

Author:Algis Uzdavinys
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 0941532615
Publisher: World Wisdom
Published: 2004-09-22T04:00:00+00:00

4. Iamblichus

Exhortation to Philosophy

The philosophy of Iamblichus was an elaboration of the Platonism developed by Plotinus, and a prolongation of the Neopythagorean tradition represented by eminent figures such as Moderatus of Gades, Nicomachus of Gerasa and Numenius of Apamea. Being also an admirer of the divinely inspired Chaldean wisdom, Iamblichus is of basic importance for an understanding of the development of the later Neoplatonic scholasticism.

The Exhortation to Philosophy, or Protreptic to Philosophy (Protreptikos epi philosophian), constitutes the second book of Iamblichus’ Pythagorean encyclopedia (On Pythagoreanism). In this book Iamblichus describes the nature of the true philosophical life. Philosophy was regarded by him as a path, and to philosophize in the Pythagorean manner meant to reach “firm and unchanging truths strengthened by scientific demonstration through sciences (mathematon) and contemplation.”

Iamblichus’ Exhortation to Philosophy was addressed particularly to beginners on the path. The selected excerpts reproduced here have been rendered by Thomas Moore Johnson and were published in 1907 and 1920.

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