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bookc. 5th century AD

Elements of Theology

Summary

Proclus's masterwork of systematic Neoplatonist metaphysics, written in the style of Euclid's Elements with 211 numbered propositions each followed by proof; covers the procession of reality from the One through henads, intellect, soul, and nature; the most rigorous and complete systematic philosophy produced in late antiquity.

Core Contribution

The culminating systematic statement of ancient Neoplatonism; its geometric axiomatic method influenced medieval scholasticism; the Liber de Causis, derived from it, was one of the most important philosophical texts in the Latin Middle Ages — wrongly attributed to Aristotle until Aquinas corrected this; shaped Aquinas's understanding of participation.

Key Spikes & Highlights

  • axiomatic metaphysics
  • procession and reversion
  • henads
  • participation
  • One and the Many

Historical Influences

Plato Plotinus Iamblichus Euclid's geometric method

Intellectual Lineage

Plotinus's EnneadsIamblichus Plato's ParmenidesEuclid's Elements

Allied Works

Proclus's Platonic TheologyPlotinus's EnneadsLiber de CausisPseudo-Dionysius's Divine Names

Contemporaries & Peers

Proclus's Platonic TheologyAugustine's City of God

Minds Influenced

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite Aquinas Islamic philosophy Renaissance Platonism

Intellectual Posterity

Liber de CausisPseudo-Dionysius Thomas Aquinas Nicholas of Cusa

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