The Platonism of Proclus (Cambridge Texts and Studies in Platonism)($55.00Value)

Description

This book argues that the key to understanding the philosophical connections between Plato and Proclus is found in Proclus' extant commentaries on the dialogues. Although none are complete, they comprise some 3000 pages of detailed exegesis and philosophical argument. Lloyd P. Gerson examines each of these commentaries and demonstrates how Proclus' constructive metaphysics is dedicated to filling in 'gaps' in Plato's own presentation of a philosophical system, gaps that Plato himself repeatedly flags in the dialogues. He shows that Proclus draws out many of the implications of what Plato says, supplies major premises in arguments that are missing, and makes crucial distinctions in terminology that are only implicit in Plato. Gerson asks whether Plato's philosophy and Proclus' philosophy stand or fall together and argues that the answer is highly relevant to understanding the nature of the dominant philosophical doctrine in the West for 2,000 years, namely, Platonism. Shows how Proclus' extant commentaries on Plato's dialogues provided the foundation for his complex metaphysical system. Lloyd P. Gerson FRSC is Professor of Philosophy (Emeritus) at the University of Toronto. He is the author of ten monographs and fifteen collections, editions and translations of works in ancient philosophy. He is also the editor and joint translator of the second edition of the complete works of Plotinus and The Cambridge History of Philosophy in Antiquity.