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Project

Variations of Reception. Proclus’ Axiomatic Method of Presentation and Some Milestones of Its Legacy

This dissertation is part of a research project on Proclus’ mos geometricus (Elements of Theology (ET) and Elements of Physics (EP)). It aims to examine the background, the basic features and certain key moments of the reception of Proclus’ axiomatic method (mostly, though not exclusively) in the ET. The first part investigates the Epicurean and Proclean conception of elementatio. Through an analysis of the Letter to Herodotus, the first chapter points to the Epicurean treatment of preconceptions as axioms and to their implicit use in individual demonstrations. The second chapter reconstructs the Proclean theory of elementatio (in the Euclid Commentary) in terms of its purpose, means, efficient cause etc. It challenges the received translations of the term “στοιχείωσις” as Elements and brings out the strategic role and tasks of the elementator.

The second part focuses exclusively on Proclus’ practice of elementatio. The third chapter discusses certain argumentative strategies in the ET and proposes argumentative parallels with the EP. It further argues that Proclus’ account of seemingly useless theorems, which can be found in his Euclid Commentary, has informed both the ET and the EP, establishing connections between physics and metaphysics. The fourth chapter is wholly devoted to the ET. It discusses the absence of a separate list with first principles and suggests that an implicit axiomaticity pervades the whole work, since Proclus repeatedly assumes many unargued assumptions of an axiomatic status.

The third part (selectively) turns to the reception of Proclus’ ET with a focus on the dialectical method and the argumentative structure. The fifth chapter studies the Refutation of the ET by the Byzantine bishop Nicholas of Methone (12th century). It reconstructs his rejection of Proclus’ method and proposes a reading of his Refutation as a Christian counter-Elementatio. The sixth chapter studies the Christian appropriation of the ET by Berthold of Moosburg (14th century). In this chapter I propose that Berthold does not do justice to Proclus’ treatment of discursive reasoning, since the latter is ultimately subordinated to a cognitive faculty (the unum animae) whose activation depends on divine grace. Finally, the seventh chapter shows how the magnum opus of Marsilio Ficino (15th century), the Platonic Theology, is articulated on the basis of the argumentative structure and the dialectical ascent of the ET.

One first conclusion is that Epicurus and Proclus share important argumentative parallels. Although Proclus never discusses Epicurus in this regard, the Epicurean axiomatic elementatio is an important forerunner of his practice, apart from Aristotle (Physics VI, VIII) and Euclid (Elements). The second conclusion, substantiated in the third part of the dissertation, is that the argumentative structure and method of the ET not only attracted vivid reactions by Medieval authors, but also governed the revival of Platonism in the Renaissance.

 

Date:30 Sep 2019 →  20 Sep 2023
Keywords:ancient philosophy, Proclus
Disciplines:History of philosophy
Project type:PhD project