Plato and Plotinus on Mysticism, Epistemology, and Ethics [Hardcover]

This book argues against the common view that there are no essential differences between Plato and the Neoplatonist philosopher, Plotinus, on the issues of mysticism, epistemology, and ethics. Beginning by examining the ways in which Plato and Plotinus claim that it is possible to have an ultimate experience that answers the most significant philosophical questions, David J. Yount provides an extended analysis of why we should interpret both philosophers as mystics. The book then moves on to demonstrate that both philosophers share a belief in non-discursive knowledge and the methods to attain it, including dialectic and recollection, and shows that they do not essentially differ on any significant views on ethics.

Making extensive use of primary and secondary sources,Plato and Plotinus on Mysticism, Epistemology and Ethicsshows the similarities between the thought of these two philosophers on a variety of philosophical questions, such as meditation, divination, wisdom, knowledge, truth, happiness and love.

Preface
Introduction
1. The Ultimate Experience: The Evidence of Mysticism in Plato and Plotinus
2. Epistemology: Plato and Plotinus on Knowledge
3. Ethics: Plato and Plotinus on Happiness, How to Live, and How Not to Live
4. Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index Locorum
General Index

The book offers a felicitous opportunity for mining primary and secondary sources for anyone who is interested in the subjects of Platonic discursive and non-discursive thought, the tension between spiritual ascent and epistemology, or between divine gift and human virtue. Journal of the History of Philosophy

[This] book is highly accomplished in its scholarship and clear both in its structure and its style & [Its] grasp of the detail and its critical comparison are forlƒ+