His philosophy is briefly summarized...

His philosophy is briefly summarized: [^1] God is the source of all being [the One whose infinity contains all, the first causeless cause, the unity prior to all being and beyond all being], [^2] the stages of being are [I] pure thought or mind, [ii] soul and [iii] matter; [^3] the human soul is part of the world soul and its freedom consists in turning away from sensuality towards its higher nature.

If it fails to do this it becomes attached after death to another human, animal or plant body according to the degree of its guilt. The ideal in life is return to God this occurs only on rare occasions, [^4] ordinary virtues do not suffice to return to God; first purification from the sense, the body then contemplation, and finally the mystical union with God in which the soul transcends its own thought.

Common to all these theologies, or theosophies, are: the concept of God as a transcendent being, the dualism of God and world, the idea of revealed and mystical knowledge of God, asceticism and world denial, the belief in intermediary beings, demons and angels. 2.6 The Decline Of Greek Philosophy 2.6.1 The closing of the school at Athens The period from Aristotle on is a decline in quality and originalityNeoplatonism was revived by Procleus [410-485] the head of the Academy at Athens.

He was succeeded by Marius, Isidorius, and Damascius. In 529 the School at Athens was closed by an edict of the Emperor Justinian. After this time some good commentaries on the writings of Plato and Aristotle were published by Simplicus, the younger Olympiodorus, and by Boethius [c. 470 / 475 524] and Philoponnus.

The works of Boethius as well as his translations of Aristotelian writings and of Porphyry [Porphyry's Introduction to the Categories of Aristotle: Porphyry of Tyre [232-304] was a pupil of Plotinus] contributed largely to the knowledge of Greek philosophy in the early Middle Ages.

2.6.2 The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius written while imprisoned [he came to high political office under Theodoric but was accused of conspiracy against Theodoric], takes its place along with Marcus Aurelius' Meditation [Stoic philosopher, Emperor 121-180] and Thomas U`„ Kempis Imitation of Christ [fourteenth century mystic: 1380-1471] as the great documents in which religious, philosophical and ethical ideas are applied in the personal life of their authors.