Proclus on Place as the Luminous Vehicle of the Soul

Dionysius 30:161-186 (2012)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Proclus argues that place (topos) is a body of light, identified as the luminous vehicle of the soul, which mediates between soul and body and facilitates motion. Simplicius (in Phys. 611,10–13) suggests that this theory is original to Proclus, and unique in describing light as a body. This paper focuses on the function of this theory as a bridge between Proclus’ physics and metaphysics, allowing the Aristotelian physical notion of “natural place” to serve as a mechanism for the descent and ascent of the soul.

Categories

Keywords

Reprint years

Links

PhilArchive

External links

  • This entry has no external links. Add one.
Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

My notes

Similar books and articles

Proclus: Commentary on Plato’s Timaeus, part IV – Proclus on the World Soul. A translation with notes and introduction.Dirk Baltzly - 2009 - Cambridge University Press.
Procession and division in Proclus.A. C. Lloyd - 1982 - In H. J. Blumenthal & Antony C. Lloyd (eds.), Soul and the Structure of Being in Late Neoplatonism: Syrianus, Proclus, and Simplicius: Papers and Discussions of a Colloquium Held at Liverpool, 15-16 April 1982. Liverpool University Press.
Proclus vs Plotinus on Matter ("De mal. subs." 30-7).Jan Opsomer - 2001 - Phronesis 46 (2):154 - 188.
Proclus vs Plotinus on Matter (De mal. subs. 30-7 ).Jan Opsomer - 2001 - Phronesis 46 (2):154-188.
Proclus on the Timaeus (D.) Baltzly (ed., trans.) Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus. Volume IV. Book 3 Part II: Proclus on the World Soul. Pp. xvi + 428. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. Cased, £75, US$125. ISBN: 978-0-521-84596-0. [REVIEW]John Dillon - 2011 - The Classical Review 61 (2):442-443.
Mereological Modes of Being in Proclus.Dirk Baltzly - 2008 - Ancient Philosophy 28 (2):395-411.
Soul and the structure of being in late neoplatonism: Syrianus, Proclus, and Simplicius: papers and discussions of a colloquium held at Liverpool, 15-16 April 1982.H. J. Blumenthal & Antony C. Lloyd (eds.) - 1982 - Liverpool: Liverpool University Press.
Proclus: Commentary on Plato’s Timaeus, part III – Proclus on the World’s Body. A translation with notes and introduction,.Dirk Baltzly - 2007 - Cambridge University Press.
Proclus on Nature: Philosophy of Nature and its Methods in Proclus’ Commentary on Plato’s timaeus.Marije Martijn - 2010 - Brill.
The fragments that remain of the lost writings of Proclus, surnamed the Platonic successor. Proclus - 1825 - San Diego: Wizards Bookshelf. Edited by Thomas Taylor.
The psychology of (?) Simplicius' commentary on the de Anima.H. J. Blumenthal - 1982 - In H. J. Blumenthal & Antony C. Lloyd (eds.), Soul and the Structure of Being in Late Neoplatonism: Syrianus, Proclus, and Simplicius: Papers and Discussions of a Colloquium Held at Liverpool, 15-16 April 1982. Liverpool University Press.
La doctrine de Simplicius sur l'âme raisonnable humaine dans le commentaire sur le Manuel d'epictète.I. Hadot - 1982 - In H. J. Blumenthal & Antony C. Lloyd (eds.), Soul and the Structure of Being in Late Neoplatonism: Syrianus, Proclus, and Simplicius: Papers and Discussions of a Colloquium Held at Liverpool, 15-16 April 1982. Liverpool University Press.
Proclus in Timaevm- (M.) Martijn Proclus on Nature. Philosophy of Nature and Its Methods in Proclus' Commentary on Plato's Timaeus. (Philosophia Antiqua 121.) Pp. x + 360. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2010. Cased, €121, US$179. ISBN: 978-90-04-18191-5. [REVIEW]Harold Tarrant - 2012 - The Classical Review 62 (1):128-130.
Proclus Again (H.) Tarrant (ed., trans.) Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus. Volume I. Book 1: Proclus on the Socratic State and Atlantis. Pp. xii + 346. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Cased, £65, US$120. ISBN: 978-0-521-84659-2. (D.) Baltzly (ed., trans.) Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus. Volume III. Book 3, Part 1: Proclus on the World's Body. Pp. xii + 205. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Cased, £45, US$85. ISBN: 978-0-521-84595-. [REVIEW]Niketas Siniossoglou - 2008 - The Classical Review 58 (2):436-.

Analytics

Added to PP
2013-09-14

Downloads
908 (#15,029)

6 months
169 (#16,575)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Michael J. Griffin
University of British Columbia

Citations of this work

Add more citations

References found in this work

Iamblichus on light and the transparent.John F. Finamore - 1993 - In H. J. Blumenthal & Gillian Clark (eds.), The Divine Iamblichus: Philosopher and Man of Gods. Bristol Classical Press.
Proclus on Space as Light.Lawrence P. Schrenk - 1989 - Ancient Philosophy 9 (1):87-94.
Proclus on Space as Light.Lawrence P. Schrenk - 1989 - Ancient Philosophy 9 (1):87-94.
The Chaldaean oracles: theology and theurgy.Polymnia Athanassiadi - 1999 - In Polymnia Athanassiadi & Michael Frede (eds.), Pagan Monotheism in Late Antiquity. Oxford University Press. pp. 149--183.
Proclus on Transcendence.Lucas Storvanes - 1998 - Documenti E Studi Sulla Tradizione Filosofica Medievale 9:1-19.

Add more references