Led by Dr. Daniel Watson
Zoom or Skype options can be made available if there is a demand.
Contact: daniel.watson@cc.au.dk
The goal of this informal by-weekly seminar is to provide the participants with an introduction to Neoplatonic philosophy. A defining feature of Neoplatonism is the idea that Plato and Aristotle are fundamentally in agreement. Therefore, we will begin with some passages in Plato’s and Aristotle’s works that will help us to understand their conciliation in Neoplatonic thought, and what results from it. We shall begin our direct consideration of Neoplatonic thought with its foundational texts, the Enneads of Plotinus. Working through selections from Plotinus’ Enneads will provide the basis for interpreting later Neoplatonic texts, both pagan and Christian, which will be read in the following semester.
The readings will be provided in translation. The relevant Greek editions will also be provided, but knowledge of Greek is not necessary for participation in the seminar.
Location: Nobelparken, Aarhus University, 1481-568
27.01 Pierre Hadot, Plotinus, or The Simplicity of Vision (Paris, 1963; Eng. trans. Chicago
1993).
10.02 Plotinus, Ennead V.1
A. H. Armstrong, ed. and trans., Plotinus, Loeb Classical Library 440-5, 468 (Cambridge
MA: 1966-7, 1984, 1988) V, ed. 10-52 and trans. 11-53.
03.03 Plotinus, Ennead VI.9
A. H. Armstrong, ed. and trans., Plotinus, Loeb Classical Library 440-5, 468
(Cambridge, MA: 1966-7, 1984, 1988) VII, ed. 302-44 and trans. 303-45.
17.03 Augustine, Confessions I-IV, VII-VIII.
J. J. O’Donnell, ed., Augustine: 'Confessions', Volume 1: Introduction and Text (Oxford,
1992); Henry Chadwick, trans., Saint Augustine: Confessions, Oxford World Classics
(Oxford, 1991).
31.03 Augustine, Confessions IX-XI.
J. J. O’Donnell, ed., Augustine: 'Confessions', Volume 1: Introduction and Text (Oxford,
1992); Henry Chadwick, trans., Saint Augustine: Confessions, Oxford World Classics
(Oxford, 1991).
14.04 Augustine, The City of God, VIII-X
Bernhard Dombart and Alphonse Kalb, eds., Augustinus: 'De civitate Dei', CCSL 47-8
(Turnhout 1955); Henry Bettenson, trans., St Augustine: 'Concerning the City of God
against the Pagans' (London and New York: 1972).
28.04 Augustine, The City of God, XI-XII
Bernhard Dombart and Alphonse Kalb, eds., Augustinus: 'De civitate Dei', CCSL 47-8
(Turnhout 1955); Henry Bettenson, trans., St Augustine: 'Concerning the City of God
against the Pagans' (London and New York: 1972).
12.04 Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, I-III.
Claudio Moreschini, ed., Boethivs: 'De consolatione philosophiae'. 'Opvscvla
Theologica', Bibliotheca scriptorium Graecorum et RomanorumTeubneriana (Munich
and Leipzig: 2005); Victor E. Watts, trans., Boethius: 'The Consolation of Philosophy'
(London and New York: 1969).
26.04 Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy, III-V.
Claudio Moreschini, ed., Boethivs: 'De consolatione philosophiae'. 'Opvscvla
Theologica', Bibliotheca scriptorium Graecorum et RomanorumTeubneriana (Munich
and Leipzig: 2005); Victor E. Watts, trans., Boethius: 'The Consolation of Philosophy'
(London and New York: 1969).
