Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

236160

Proclus on the order of philosophy of nature

Marije Martijn

pp. 205-223

Abstract

In this paper I show that Proclus is an adherent of the Classical Model of Science as set out elsewhere in this issue (de Jong and Betti 2008), and that he adjusts certain conditions of the Model to his Neoplatonic epistemology and metaphysics. In order to show this, I develop a case study concerning philosophy of nature, which, despite its unstable subject matter, Proclus considers to be a science. To give this science a firm foundation Proclus distills from Plato’s Timaeus the basic concepts Being and Becoming and a number of basic propositions, among others the quasi-definitions of the basic concepts. He subsequently explains the use of these quasi-definitions, that are actually epistemic guides, in such a way that he obtains a connection between a rational and an empirical approach to the natural world. A crucial task in establishing the connection is performed by the faculty of doxa and by geometrical conversion. The result is that Proclus secures a universal, necessary and known foundation for all of philosophy of nature.

Publication details

Published in:

Betti Arianna, de Jong Willem (2010) The classical model of science I. Synthese 174 (2).

Pages: 205-223

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-008-9418-3

Full citation:

Martijn Marije (2010) „Proclus on the order of philosophy of nature“. Synthese 174 (2), 205–223.