2 Regent's Park Rd
London NW1 7AY
UK
Iamblichus – Philosophy and Theurgy
A talk by Dr Crystal Addey
The long Platonic tradition of the ancient world was much more than just Socrates, Plato and Aristotle – many men and women fed the flame which warmed the heart of the tradition. One of the most significant of this line of philosopher-sages was Iamblichus (c. 240-325 CE) who studied in the school of Plotinus and Porphyry: his remarkable contribution to the tradition was to harmonize Platonic philosophy with much of the mystery religions of Greece, Egypt and the middle East. Iamblichus wrote extensive and profound commentaries on the Platonic dialogues (most of which now lost) and also also composed a work called On the Pythagorean Way of Life, focusing on Pythagoras as a wise sage and philosophical role model. The most important of his writings to have survived the centuries is his work known as On the Mysteries – and tonight Dr Crystal Addey will introduce us to Iamblichus and his philosophical “theurgy” (literally “working with the gods”).
The evening’s format will be a little different from our usual one – the introductory talk will take the first 30 or so minutes, and will include various passages from On the Mysteries – and we will then open the meeting to a general discussion on this much neglected aspect of the Platonic tradition.
Dr Crystal Addey is the author of Divination and Theurgy in Neoplatonism: Oracles of the Gods.
No previous experience of formal philosophy is required.
Entrance in free, but donations between £3-5 will be welcomed.
A PDF download of the extract we will be reading is available on our website together with further details of this and other Prometheus Trust’s activities: www.prometheustrust.co.uk (the PDF is on the “London Monday Evenings” page.)