Neoplatonism

Neo-Platonism is an ancient school of philosophy founded by Plotinus. It was based on the teachings of Plato and Platonists; but it interpreted Plato in many new ways, such that Neo-Platonism was quite different from what Plato taught. (Though many Neo-Platonists would not admit it.)

Neo-Platonism begins with the Alexandrian philosopher Plotinus. His most important work was the Six Enneads, in which he explains his philosophy. He claimed to have recieved his teachings from Ammonius Saccas, an illiterate dock-worker.

Plotinus taught the existence of an indescribable One, which emananated the rest of the universe as a sequence of lesser beings. Later Neo-Platonic philosophers, especially Iamblichus, added hundreds of intermediate gods and beings as emanations between the One and humanity; but Plotinus' system was much simpler in comparison.

Later Neo-Platonic philosophers included Porphyry, Proclus and Iamblichus.

Neo-Platonism was frequently used as a philosophical foundation for paganism, and as a means of defending paganism against Christianity; but many Christians were also influenced by Neo-Platonism. Most important of these was Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, whose work was very influential in the Middle Ages. Augustine was also deeply influenced by Neo-Platonism.

Neo-Platonism was revived in the Italian Renaissance by figures such as Marsilio Ficino.