Alcinous c. 100 AD – c. 175 AD
Alcinous (c. 100 AD – c. 175 AD) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Platonism.
Alcinous was a Greek philosopher of the second century AD and the author of the Handbook of Platonism, the principal surviving systematic introduction to Middle Platonist doctrine. The work presents Platonic philosophy as a unified body of teaching, organized into logic, physics, and ethics, and incorporates Aristotelian, Stoic, and Pythagorean elements within a recognizably Platonic framework. His God is the supreme intellect that thinks the Forms and orders matter, while the human telos is assimilation to God so far as is possible. The Handbook shaped the late ancient and early Byzantine reception of Plato and was rediscovered with great interest in the Renaissance.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Greek
- Era
- Ancient
- Movements
- Platonism
Selected quotes
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Attributed to Alcinous:
“The end of human life is assimilation to God so far as is possible.”
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Attributed to Alcinous:
“God is the intellect that thinks the Forms.”
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Attributed to Alcinous:
“Philosophy is the release of the soul from the body.”
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Attributed to Alcinous:
“Matter receives form but is itself without form.”
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Attributed to Alcinous:
“The Forms are the eternal patterns of all that becomes.”
Alcinous by topic
Frequently asked about Alcinous
- When did Alcinous live?
- Alcinous was born in c. 100 AD and died in c. 175 AD.
- Where was Alcinous from?
- Alcinous was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
- What philosophical movements is Alcinous associated with?
- Alcinous was associated with Platonism.
- What was Alcinous known for?
- Alcinous was a Greek philosopher of the second century AD and the author of the Handbook of Platonism, the principal surviving systematic introduction to Middle Platonist doctrine.
- How many quotes are attributed to Alcinous?
- There are 11 attributed quotations from Alcinous in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.