In this lesson (the first of two parts) we look at samples of the ways that two great philosophical traditions affected the Abrahamic faiths. The first great philosophical tradition is Platonism (or Neo-Platonism.) The second is Aristotelianism (often also in Neo-Platonist form). The three great Abrahamic faiths are, of course, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Note: Recall Plato’s Cave where enlightenment is to be found in discovering the eternal forms that lie behind the shadows and ultimately in discovering the form of the good.
PLATONISM IN JUDAISM
Philo of Alexandria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo
Prof Notes
http://wpscape.info/mw/index.php?title=Philo_of_Alexandria
PAGAN NEOPLATONISM
Plotinus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plotinus
Prof Notes
http://wpscape.info/mw/index.php?title=Plotinus
Enneads: On Virtue
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/plotinus/enneads.ii.ii.html
Civic, Contemplative, Purificatory, Exemplary
Porphyry’s Presentation of the Virtues
http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/porphyry_sententiae_02_trans.htm
See: Section Two (Political, Cathartic, Eneergizing Intellectually, Paradigmatic) aka (Civic, Purificatory, Contemplative, Exemplary)
Enneads: The Good
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/plotinus/enneads.vi.v.html
(See: Zeus)
Enneads: Five Categories (VI.2.8)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plotenn/enn545.htm
NEO-PLATONISM IN CHRISTIANITY
Augustine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo
Handbook on Faith, Hope, & Love
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1302.htm
cf Virtues Paradigmatic or Exemplary
On Christian Doctrine
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/augustine/doctrine.xxxix.html
NEO-PLATONISM IN ISLAM
al-Farabi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Farabi
The Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle (see pdf link)
http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/farabi/
Note: see pdf page 27 of 84, paragraph number 55, where philosophy is distinguished from religion
CourseLinks 