Conventional wisdom suggests that the Platonist philosophers of Late Antiquity, from Plotinus (third century) to the sixth-century schools in Athens and Alexandria, neglected the political dimension of their Platonic heritage in their concentration on an otherworldly life. But Dominic O'Meara presents a revelatory reappraisal of these thinkers, arguing that their otherworldliness involved rather than excluded political ideas, and he reconstructs for the first time a coherent political philosophy of Late Platonism.
Review:
"Against the presumption that Neoplatonism was fundamentally escapist, O'Meara argues convincingly for the existence of Neoplatonic political philosophies. Following a historical survey of the major figures in Neoplatonism, he undertakes a summary reconstruction of Neoplatonic theories of politics which nevertheless does justice to their complexity... O'Meara's presentation of the material is readily accessible and his arguments are clearly structured. Even less advanced students could read the book with profit, but because the study is pioneering in many ways, advanced students and scholars will also find it noteworthy...The abundance of such fascinating and learned discussion, coupled with the breadth of material analyzed, makes this study most impressive.'Theological Studies
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 3, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0199285535
ISBN-13: 978-0199285532
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