Proclus

Proclus (c. 410-485), the last important ancient Greek philosopher, the most influential representative of the Athenian school of Neoplatonism. Born in Constantinople, he studied in Alexandria, Egypt, with the Greek philosopher Olympiodorus and later joined the Academy in Athens, eventually becoming director, or diadochus (“successor” to Plato, who founded the academy in 387 bc). Under the influence of the philosopher Iamblichus, the Athenian school was characterized by elaborate metaphysical speculation and a belief in paganism and magic. Proclus gave systematic form to this tradition. Despite his opposition to Christianity, he made an important contribution to both Eastern and Western medieval Christian theology through his influence on the 6th-century theologian known as the Pseudo-Dionysius.

Like the great 3rd-century Neoplatonist philosopher Plotinus, Proclus taught the existence of an ultimate, indescribable reality, the One, from which lesser realities, including humanity and the material universe, are produced by a process of emanation. According to this tradition, the task of philosophy is to transcend the limitations of the human senses and intellect and thus to point the way to a mystical reunion of the individual with the One. This “negative theology” is, in essence, a religious interpretation of Plato's thought.

Aside from his commentaries on Plato's works, the most important of Proclus's surviving works are Elements of Theology (trans. 1789) and Platonic Theology.