Proclus on Nature : philosophy of nature and its methods in proclus' Commentary on Plato's Timaeus

Author(s):
Martijn, M.
Published
2008
Publication type
Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

One of the hardest questions to answer for a (Neo)platonist is to what extent and how the changing and unreliable world of sense perception can itself be an object of scientific knowledge. My dissertation is a study of the answer given to that question by the Neoplatonist Proclus (Athens, 411-485) in his Commentary on Plato__s Timaeus. I present a new explanation of Proclus__ concept of nature and show that philosophy of nature consists of several related subdisciplines matching the ontological stratification of nature. Moreover, I demonstrate that for Proclus philosophy of nature is a science, albeit a hypothetical one, which takes geometry as its methodological paradigm. I also offer an explanation of Proclus__ view of what is later called the mathematization of physics, i.e. the role of the substance of mathematics, as opposed to its method, in explaining the natural world. Finally, I discuss Proclus__ views of the discourse of philosophy of nature and its iconic character.

IconicityMathematizationMetaphysicsPhilosophy of natureProclusScientific methodTimaeus
Defense date
2008-04-03
Language
English
Supervisor(s)
Haas, F.A.J. de; Runia, D.T.
Committee member(s)
Berg, R.M. van den; Bos, E.P.; Sundholm, B.G.
Qualification
Ph.D.
Degree granting institution
Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Leiden
hdl
1887/12664

Juridical information

Court
LEI Universiteit Leiden

Funding

Sponsorship
NWO