Who is Porphyry in Philosophy?
Porphyry, also known as Porphyry, was a Neoplatonic philosopher who lived in the XNUMXrd century AD. He was born in Tyre, a city located in Phoenicia, which is currently part of Lebanon. Porphyry was a disciple of Plotinus, another important Neoplatonic philosopher, and became one of the main exponents of this philosophical current.
Porphyry Biography
Porphyry was born around the year 234 AD and received a comprehensive education, studying philosophy, mathematics, rhetoric and music. He was especially interested in philosophy, and at the age of 20 he decided to become a disciple of Plotinus, who founded the Neoplatonic school in Rome.
Porphyry studied with Plotinus for about 6 years and became one of his closest disciples. He wrote several philosophical works, including commentaries on the writings of Plotinus, which became important references for the study of Neoplatonism.
Philosophical Contributions
Porphyry made several significant contributions to philosophy, especially in the field of logic and metaphysics. He developed a theory about Aristotelian categories, which classify different types of beings and their relationships. Porphyry also deepened his studies on the theory of forms and the nature of the human soul.
Furthermore, Porphyry wrote a work called “Isagoge”, which is an introductory manual to Aristotelian logic. This book became an important reference for the study of logic during the Middle Ages and influenced thinkers such as Boethius and Thomas Aquinas.
Relationship to Plotinus
The relationship between Porphyry and Plotinus was very close and lasted until Plotinus' death in 270 AD Porphyry was one of the main defenders and disseminators of Plotinus' ideas, and his writings helped to preserve and spread Neoplatonic thought.
After Plotinus' death, Porphyry devoted himself to organizing and editing his master's writings. He compiled Plotinus's works into six groups, known as “Enneads,” and wrote detailed commentaries on each of them.
Controversies and Criticism
Despite his contributions to philosophy, Porphyry was also the target of criticism and controversy. He was known for his controversial views on religion and superstition, and his criticism of Christianity earned him the enmity of some religious leaders.
Porphyry wrote a work called “Against Christians”, in which he questioned the divinity of Jesus Christ and criticized Christian dogmas and rituals. This work was considered heretical by the Catholic Church and was largely destroyed, leaving only fragments and quotations in other writings.
Influence and Legacy
Despite controversies and criticism, Porphyry's legacy in philosophy is indisputable. His works were fundamental for the preservation and dissemination of Neoplatonism, a philosophical current that had great influence in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Furthermore, Porphyry also influenced later thinkers, such as Augustine of Hippo and Marsílio Ficino, who took up and developed his ideas. His contribution to logic and metaphysics was also recognized and studied by later philosophers, who based themselves on his writings to advance in these fields of knowledge.
Conclusion
Porphyry was an important Neoplatonic philosopher, who contributed significantly to philosophy, especially in the field of logic and metaphysics. His close relationship with Plotinus and his writings on Neoplatonism helped to preserve and spread this philosophical current. Despite controversies and criticism, Porphyry's legacy in philosophy is undeniable, and his works continue to be studied and debated to this day.
