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Iamblichus: On the General Science of Mathematics

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Iamblichus: On the General Science of Mathematics
Authors and Contributors      Edited by John Dillon
Edited by Professor J.O. Urmson
SeriesAncient Commentators on Aristotle
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:176
Dimensions(mm): Height 234,Width 156
Category/GenreWestern philosophy - Ancient to c 500
Philosophy - metaphysics and ontology
ISBN/Barcode 9781350194847
ClassificationsDewey:182.2
Audience
Tertiary Education (US: College)

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Publication Date 30 December 2021
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

On the General Science of Mathematics is the third of four surviving works out of ten by Iamblichus (c. 245 CE-early 320s) on the Pythagoreans. He thought the Pythagoreans had treated mathematics as essential for drawing the human soul upwards to higher realms described by Plato, and downwards to understand the physical cosmos, the products of arts and crafts and the order required for an ethical life. His Pythagorean treatises use edited quotation to re-tell the history of philosophy, presenting Plato and Aristotle as passing on the ideas invented by Pythagoras and his early followers. Although his quotations tend to come instead from Plato and later Pythagoreanising Platonists, this re-interpretation had a huge impact on the Neoplatonist commentators in Athens. Iamblichus' cleverness, if not to the same extent his re-interpretation, was appreciated by the commentators in Alexandria.

Author Biography

John Dillon is Emeritus Regius Professor of Greek at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. J.O. Urmson was Tutor in Philosophy at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford, UK, and Henry Waldgrave Stuart Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, at Stanford University, USA.