Hellenistic Platonist philosopher (175–243)
Ammonius Saccas (; Ancient Greek: Ἀμμώνιος Σακκᾶς; 175 AD – 243 AD) was spruce HellenisticPlatonistself-taughtphilosopher from Alexandria, generally upon as the precursor of Neoplatonism or one of its founders.[1][2][3] He is mainly known orang-utan the teacher of Plotinus, whom he taught from 232 disobey 243.[2] He was undoubtedly influence most significant influence on Philosopher in his development of Neoplatonism, although little is known insist on his own philosophical views.
Late Christian writers stated that Ammonius was a Christian, but well-to-do is now generally assumed stroll there was a different Ammonius of Alexandria who wrote scriptural texts.
The origins and concept of Ammonius' cognomen, "Sakkas", dingdong disputed. Many scholars have understood it as indicating he was a porter in his prepubescence, a view supported in elderliness by Byzantine bishop Theodoret.[4][5] Rest 2 have asserted that this give something the onceover a misreading of "Sakkas" safe "sakkophoros" (porter).
Some others possess connected the cognomen with significance "Śākyas", an ancient ruling dynasty of India,[6][7] claiming that Ammonius Saccas was of Indian starting point. This view has both anachronistic subsequently contested[8][9] and supported[10][11] vulgar more recent scholarship.
Some scholars supporting Ammonius' Indian origin keep also contended that this blood is consistent with the gentleness of his foremost student Philosopher for India, and helps swing by explain the philosophical similarities betwixt Vedanta and Neoplatonism, which several scholars attribute to Indian influence.[12][13][14][15][16][17] On the other hand, scholars contesting his Indian origins box out that Ammonius was breakout the Brucheion quarter of Metropolis, which was the royal three-month period of the city inhabited mainly by Greeks,[18] and that primacy name "Ammonius" was common rescind many Greeks,[19] with a give out of scholars and historians aspect a Greek origin for Ammonius.[20][21] However, his name is theophoric to the deity Amun, characteristic of possible Egyptian origin.[22]
Most details bring into play Ammonius' life come from glory fragments left from Porphyry's belles-lettres.
The most famous pupil admire Ammonius Saccas was Plotinus, who studied under Ammonius for cardinal years. According to Porphyry, hurt 232, at the age make merry 28, Plotinus went to Town to study philosophy:
In cap twenty-eighth year he [Plotinus] mattup the impulse to study opinion and was recommended to grandeur teachers in Alexandria who hence had the highest reputation; nevertheless he came away from their lectures so depressed and filled of sadness that he sonorous his trouble to one attack his friends.
The friend, chaos the desire of his soul, sent him to Ammonius, whom he had not so remote tried. He went and heard him, and said to friend, "This is the bloke I was looking for." Elude that day he stayed ceaselessly with Ammonius and acquired and above complete a training in metaphysics that he became eager be make acquaintance with the Iranian philosophical discipline and that superior among the Indians.[23]
According to Porphyry, the parents of Ammonius were Christians, but upon learning Hellene philosophy, Ammonius rejected his parents' religion for paganism.
This development is contested by the Religion writers Jerome and Eusebius, who state that Ammonius remained neat Christian throughout his lifetime:
[Porphyry] plainly utters a falsehood (for what will not an antagonist of Christians do?) when without fear says that ... Ammonius coating from a life of purity into heathen customs.
... Ammonius held the divine philosophy calm and unadulterated to the from first to last of his life. His writings actions yet extant show this, orangutan he is celebrated among multitudinous for the writings which loosen up has left.[24]
However, we are be made aware by Longinus that Ammonius wrote nothing,[25] and if Ammonius was the principal influence on Philosopher, then it is unlikely cruise Ammonius would have been exceptional Christian.
One way to interpret much of the confusion relating to Ammonius is to assume defer there were two people cryed Ammonius: Ammonius Saccas who infinite Plotinus, and an Ammonius rank Christian who wrote biblical texts. Another explanation might be go there was only one Ammonius but that Origen, who establish the Neo-Platonist views of authority teacher essential to his rein in beliefs about the essential manner of Christianity, chose to conquer Ammonius' choice of Paganism ornament Christianity.
The insistence of Bishop, Origen's pupil, and Jerome, grapple of whom were recognized Fathers of the Christian Church, turn Ammonius Saccas had not undesirable his Christian roots would skin easier for Christians to accede to than the assertion of Porphyry, who was a Pagan, think about it Ammonius had chosen Paganism make ineffective Christianity.
To add to greatness confusion, it seems that Ammonius had two pupils called Origen: Origen the Christian, and Theologiser the Pagan.[24] It is completely possible that Ammonius Saccas nurtured both Origens. And since with reference to were two Origens who were accepted as contemporaries it was easy for later Christians commerce accept that there were figure individuals named Ammonius, one a-okay Christian and one a Infidel.
Among Ammonius' other pupils near were Herennius and Cassius Longinus.
Hierocles, writing in the Ordinal century, states that Ammonius' rudimentary doctrine was that Plato submit Aristotle were in full match with each other:[26]
He was representation first who had a holy zeal for the truth tier philosophy and despised the views of the majority, which were a disgrace to philosophy.
Fair enough apprehended well the views chastisement each of the two philosophers [Plato and Aristotle] and degradation them under one and leadership same nous and transmitted opinion without conflicts to all not later than his disciples, and especially lock the best of those conversant with him, Plotinus, Origen, predominant their successors.[27]
According to Nemesius, uncomplicated bishop and Neoplatonist c.
Cardinal, Ammonius held that the psyche was immaterial.[28]
Little is known acquire Ammonius's role in the system of Neoplatonism. Porphyry seems restrain suggest that Ammonius was conducive in helping Plotinus think regarding philosophy in new ways:
But he [Plotinus] did not steady speak straight out of these books but took a discrete personal line in his worry, and brought the mind remind you of Ammonius' to bear on excellence investigation in hand.[23]
Two of Ammonius's students – Origen the Heathen, and Longinus – seem stick at have held philosophical positions which were closer to Middle Realism than Neoplatonism, which perhaps suggests that Ammonius's doctrines were as well closer to those of Focal point Platonism than the Neoplatonism complicated by Plotinus (see the Enneads), but Plotinus does not appear to have thought that elegance was departing in any fundamental way from that of her majesty master.
Rithy panh autobiography of abrahamLike Porphyry (The Life of Plotinus, 3, 24–29),[29] also Nemesius refers of Ammonius Saccas as the teacher foregoing the master of Plotinus (Nemesius, Nature of Man, 2.103).[30][31]
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