The American Minervan

Tag: Neoplatonism

  • Pan-Esotericism in African Religious Tradition: Roots of the “Divine Spark”

    Pan-Esotericism in African Religious Tradition: Roots of the “Divine Spark”

    The “divine spark” refers to the inner divine principle that makes a being fully human and capable of ultimate spiritual realization. The claim made by certain European racist occultists (e.g., some 19th–20th century esoteric racists) that Black Africans or people of African descent lack the “divine spark” (the Logos, Atman, Nous, scintilla animae) is philosophically,…

  • Theosophy, the Successor of Neoplatonism?

    Theosophy, the Successor of Neoplatonism?

    IN THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY, HELENA BLAVATSKY CALLS THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY THE MODERN SUCCESSOR OF THE NEOPLATONIC SCHOOL. This would have definitely come true, if only the Theosophical Movement managed to stay consistent a little longer into the twentieth century. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Neoplatonism in the first paragraph basically explains what…

  • “I Believe in Philosophy” (script) scene from Hypatia

    “I Believe in Philosophy” (script) scene from Hypatia

    Heladius Dignitary: The majority of us here…have accepted Christ. Why not the rest of you? It’s only a matter of time and you know it.Hypatia: Really? It is just a matter of time?…As far as I am aware, your God has not yet proved himself to be more just or more merciful than his predecessors.…

  • Jean-Louis Siemons: “Theosophy” in Neo-Platonic and Christian Literature

    Jean-Louis Siemons: “Theosophy” in Neo-Platonic and Christian Literature

    Dr. Jean-Louis Siémons article Theosofia in Neo-Platonic and Christian Literature (2nd to 6th Century A.D.), Theosophical History Centre, London, 1988, pp. 24-26. Dr. Siémons was an Associate of the United Lodge of Theosophists for over fifty years. This is to give us perspective on the 19th century Theosophical Movement’s place within the broader scope of theosophical…

  • The Mission of Ammonius Saccas and the New Platonists of Alexandria

    The Mission of Ammonius Saccas and the New Platonists of Alexandria

    The aim of the Hellenist philosopher Ammonious Saccas from Alexandria, founder of the New Platonic Eclectic School, was to reconcile the plethora of sects in Egypt and Palestine at the time. The central object was faith in one immutable, nameless, inexorable Divine Principle and eternal law by which the Universe was governed. It was by…