A Plotinian Turning Point: Revisiting the Relationship between Gnosticism and Platonism

Abstract

The present volume offers a detailed examination of different aspects of Sethian Gnosticism, as its main written sources portray it, and of its relation to Platonism, especially Plotinus’ circle. The book is written in the format of an essay, where the presentation of historical and cultural facts as well as discussion of ideas presented in the ancient sources outweighs scrupulous philological scrutiny and the dissection of philosophical arguments. This style certainly contributes to keep Burns’ prose stimulating. The book is neatly organized in seven chapters preceded by an introduction. A brief Appendix is included containing a concise examination of the lines that Porphyry devoted to the Gnostic heretics in his Vita Plotini. The volume closes with a lengthy Notes section, where most of the bibliographical references alluded to in the main text are reported and discussed, an updated Bibliography and an Index containing the most important notions, namely Ancient sources, philosophers, scholars, figures and movements considered by the author.