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The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 1 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning Proclus

Philosophy

The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 1 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning

Name: The six books of Proclus, the Platonic successor, on the theology of Plato (vol. 1 of 2) : $b translated from the Greek, to which a seventh book is added, in order to supply the deficiency of another book on this subject, which was written by Proclus, but since lost, also, a translation from the Greek of Proclus' Elements of theology, to which are added a translation of the treatise of Proclus, On providence and fate, a translation of extracts from his treatise, entitled, Ten doubts concerning
Author: Proclus

Proclus

Neoplatonism -- Early works to 1800; Plato -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- Early works to 1800

I appear, however, by these means, to have excited for myself a twofold
contest against those who attempt to investigate the writings of Plato;
and I see two sorts of persons, who will oppose what has been said.
One of these does not think proper to explore any other design in the
Parmenides, than exercise through opposite arguments, or to introduce
in this dialogue a croud of arcane and intellectual dogmas, which are
foreign from its intention. But the other sort, who are more venerable
than these, and lovers of forms assert, that one of the hypotheses is
about the first God, another about the second God, and the whole of an
intellectual nature, and a third, about the natures posterior to this,
whether they are the more excellent genera, or souls, or any other kind
of beings. For the investigation of these particulars does not pertain
to the present discourse.

These, therefore, distribute three of the hypotheses after this
manner. But they do not think proper to busy themselves about the
multitude of Gods, the intelligible, and the intellectual genera, the
supermundane and mundane natures, or to unfold all these by division,
or busily explore them. For according to them, though Plato in the
second hypothesis, treats about intellectual beings, yet the nature of
intellect is one, simple and indivisible. Against both these therefore,
must he contend, who entertains that opinion of the Parmenides, which
we have before mentioned. The contest however against these is not
equal. But those who make the Parmenides a logical exercise, are again
attacked by those who embrace the divine mode of interpretation. And
those who do not unfold the multitude of beings, and the orders of
divine natures, are indeed, as Homer says, in every respect venerable
and skilful men, but yet for the sake of the Platonic philosophy, we
must doubt against them, following in this our leader to the most holy
and mystic truth. It is proper likewise to relate as far as contributes
to our purpose, what appears to us to be the truth respecting the
hypotheses of the Parmenides; for thus perhaps by a reasoning process,
we may embrace the whole theology of Plato.




                              CHAPTER IX.

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