Novoplatonic

Novoplatonic refers to a school of philosophy that emerged in the 3rd century CE, heavily influenced by the teachings of Plato. It is often distinguished from earlier Platonic thought by its development of a complex metaphysical system and its emphasis on mystical or spiritual experience. The central figure of Novoplatonism is Plotinus, whose writings, compiled by his student Porphyry, form the foundational texts of the movement. Other important Novoplatonists include Porphyry himself, Iamblichus, and Proclus.

The core of Novoplatonic philosophy is the concept of the One, an ineffable, transcendent, and ultimate source of all reality. From the One, all existence emanates in a hierarchical series of hypostases, or levels of being. These typically include Intellect (Nous), which contains the Platonic Forms, and Soul (Psyche), which bridges the gap between the intelligible and sensible worlds. The material world is the lowest level of this emanation, seen as a distant reflection of the One.

Novoplatonists sought to understand the nature of reality and the human soul's place within it. They believed that the soul, originally part of the divine, had become entangled in the material world. The ultimate goal of the Novoplatonist life was a return to the One, often achieved through philosophical contemplation, ethical purification, and ecstatic or mystical union. This philosophical system had a profound impact on subsequent Western and Islamic thought, influencing Neoplatonic schools, Christian theology, and Islamic philosophy for centuries.