What is Neoplatonism?
Neoplatonism is a term used to designate the period of Platonic philosophy beginning with the work of Plotinus and ending with the closing of the Platonic Academy by the Emperor Justinian in 529 C.E. Plotinus synthesized elements from Plato’s philosophy, Aristotle’s thought, and Eastern mysticism to form a comprehensive metaphysical system. At its core, Neoplatonism describes reality as a hierarchical emanation from an ultimate, transcendent principle called the One (or the Good). All things emanate from the One, the ultimate source of all being and goodness, with the Nous (divine intellect) and the World Soul mediating between the One and the material world. The philosophy emphasizes the soul’s capacity to ascend back toward its source through contemplative practice and spiritual purification, culminating in henosis—mystical union with the One.
Origins & lineage
Neoplatonism originated in the 3rd century CE, primarily through the teachings of the philosopher Plotinus (204–270 CE). Plotinus studied under Ammonius Saccas when he was 28, remained his pupil until around 240, then joined Emperor Gordian’s Persian expedition to learn Persian philosophy before arriving in Rome at age 40. Plotinus’ Enneads, a collection of his writings compiled by his student Porphyry, serves as the primary source for understanding Neoplatonic philosophy. Porphyry arranged the writings into six books, each with nine chapters (hence “Enneads,” from Greek “ennea,” 9).
The tradition developed through several key figures. Iamblichus emphasized theurgy (rituals and divine intervention) as a means to achieve spiritual ascent, diverging from Plotinus by introducing a more complex cosmology and a hierarchical structure of divine beings. Proclus, the last major philosopher of classical Neoplatonism, further developed the system, emphasizing metaphysical principles and theurgy in his influential work, The Elements of Theology. The origins can be traced back to the era of Hellenistic syncretism which spawned such movements as Gnosticism and the Hermetic tradition.
How it’s practiced
Neoplatonic practice centers on philosophical contemplation and spiritual purification aimed at achieving henosis. Plotinus taught that human beings could attain union with the One through contemplation and spiritual purification, escaping the imperfections of the material world. Through purification, contemplation (theoria), and disciplined ascent, the soul retraces the procession in reverse and may, briefly, achieve henosis—union with the One.
The practical path involves stages. Plotinus and his successors set out stages by which the soul reverses its procession, later systematized into a graded scale of virtues, ascending from civic life to union. Contemplative practice involves turning inward, withdrawing attention from external sensory reality to focus on intelligible realities and ultimately transcending even intellectual thought to touch the One.
Within Iamblichus’ teachings, achieving henosis is not accomplished through contemplation alone but through the ritual practice of theurgy, by reenacting the creative ordering of the cosmos and aligning with the divine order through rituals drawn from the mystery religions. This created a significant division within the tradition between purely contemplative and ritual-based approaches.
Neoplatonism today
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Neoplatonism in modern spirituality, reflected in the growing popularity of books and courses on Neoplatonism, as well as the incorporation of Neoplatonic ideas into contemporary spiritual practices such as meditation and ritual. Neoplatonism has influenced contemporary spiritual movements including esotericism, Theosophy, and mysticism, with thinkers such as Rudolf Steiner and Alice Bailey drawing on Neoplatonic ideas.
Neoplatonism underpins many aspects of modern esoteric thought, pervades Rosicrucianism, Martinism and the modern Gnostic Church, and has had a perennial influence on philosophical concepts to the current day. Contemporary seekers encounter Neoplatonic ideas through university philosophy departments, online courses, esoteric study groups, and contemplative communities that emphasize mystical union as a spiritual goal. Academic conferences and symposia now explore connections between Neoplatonic contemplative practices and Eastern meditation traditions.
Common misconceptions
Neoplatonism is often confused with Platonism proper. Plotinus would have viewed himself as a Platonist—“Neoplatonism” is a category applied by later scholars to refer to a specific philosophical tradition beginning with Plotinus and ending in 529 CE. For centuries after the Protestant Reformation, neoplatonism was condemned as a decadent and ‘oriental’ distortion of Platonism, though E. R. Dodds showed that key conceptions could be traced from their origin in Plato’s dialogues.
Neoplatonism is not inherently Christian, despite deep historical entanglements. Some early Christians identified the Neoplatonic One with the Christian god, with the most influential being Origen and Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, who had lasting influence on Eastern Orthodox and Western Christianity. However, the system emerged as a pagan philosophy and later Neoplatonists like Porphyry opposed Christianity.
Neoplatonism is also not purely abstract philosophy. The inclusion of theurgy by Iamblichus and Proclus demonstrates that it encompassed embodied ritual practices, not solely intellectual contemplation. Neoplatonism viewed the physical world as a lower, flawed reality, but emphasized the soul’s ascent to a higher, spiritual existence rather than simply rejecting materiality.
How to begin
For those interested in exploring Neoplatonism, begin with primary texts. The Enneads of Plotinus remains foundational, particularly Treatise I.6 (“On Beauty”) and VI.9 (“On the Good or the One”), which are relatively accessible introductions to his thought. Porphyry’s biography of Plotinus, included with most editions of the Enneads, provides historical context.
For contemporary interpretation, consult academic resources from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, which offer rigorous overviews with bibliographies. Universities occasionally offer courses on Late Antique philosophy covering Neoplatonic thought. The International Society for Neoplatonic Studies maintains scholarly networks and conferences.
For practical exploration, investigate contemplative philosophy groups that study ancient texts alongside meditation practice. Some esoteric organizations, particularly Rosicrucian and Hermetic study groups, incorporate Neoplatonic frameworks, though these blend the philosophy with other traditions. Academic philosophy departments at institutions with strengths in ancient philosophy often host reading groups open to serious students. Begin with reading, reflection, and cultivating an inward-turning contemplative disposition that the texts themselves recommend.