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1.2 - The Ideas as Thoughts of God

from I - Concepts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2021

By
John Dillon  and
Daniel J. Tolan
Edited by
Alexander J. B. Hampton  and
John Peter Kenney
Alexander J. B. Hampton
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
John Peter Kenney
Affiliation:
Saint Michael's College, Vermont
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Summary

The notion of Platonic Forms as divine thoughts was critical to the theistic interpretation of Plato’s philosophy. This chapter considers the origins and development of the theory of divine ideas. The chapter begins by examining the evidence for this theory in the Old Academy, including Speusippus, Xenocrates and Aristotle. The notion is then traced among subsequent Platonists, including Antiochus of Ascalon, Eudorus of Alexandria, Alcinous, and the Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria. The reception of the theory of divine ideas in Christianity concludes the chapter, with reference to Origen of Alexandria and Maximus the Confessor.

Keywords

PlatoOld Academydivine ideasChristian philosophy
Type
Chapter
Information
Christian Platonism
A History
 , pp. 34 - 52
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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