The Philosopher and Society in Late Antiquity : Essays in honour of Peter Brown
Brown, P. R. L., Smith, A., Alt, K., 2005
The philosophers of Late Antiquity have sometimes appeared to be estranged from society. ‘We must flee everything physical’ is one of the most prominent ideas taken by Augustine from Platonic literature. This collection of new studies by leading writers on Late Antiquity treats both the principles of metaphysics and the practical engagement of philosophers. It points to a more substantive and complex involvement in worldly affairs than conventional handbooks admit.
(Text by the editors)
Table of Contents:
Introduction – Andrew Smith
- Philosophy as a profession in late antiquity – John Dillon
- Movers and shakers – Robin Lane Fox
- The social concern of the Plotinian sage – Alexandrine Schniewind
- Action and contemplation in Plotinus – Andrew Smith
- Man and daimones : do the daimones influence man’s life? – Karin Alt
- A Neoplatonist ethics for high-level officials : Sopatros’ letter to Himerios – Dominic J. O’Meara
- Live unnoticed! : the invisible Neoplatonic politician – Robert van den Berg
- Apamea and the Chaldaean Oracles : a holy city and a holy book – Polymnia Athanassiadi
- Sages, cities and temples : aspects of late antique pythagorism? – Garth Fowden
- Asceticism and administration in the life of St. John Chrysostom – Aideen Hartney
- Where Greeks and Christians meet : two incidents in Panopolis and Gaza – Mark Edwards
- Divine names and sordid deals in Ammonius’ Alexandria – Richard Sorabji
- An Alexandrian Christian response to fifth-century Neoplatonic influence – Edward Watts
- Appendix : Harran, the Sabians and the late Platonist ‘movers’ – Robin Lane Fox.
Index