Most people familiar with the outlines of Platonic philosophy have the broad outlines of Plato’s understanding of the creation of the Cosmos (and a similar understanding of the so-called ‘theory of forms’) – that the Demiurge, looking to an eternal pattern, thinks the great Cosmos into existence. Thus we have, at its simplest, an eternal paradigm, a Creator, and a manifest creation. But once we study the words of Timaeus we find some tricky elements to the “likely story” that he tells: the Demiurge, before he begins his activity, received everything that way visible “moving with confusion and disorder”; and later we are introduced to ‘Chora’ some almost impossible to understand all-receiving nurse or mother. Suddenly a relatively easy view of the creative act becomes much more challenging.
During our last open session we looked at Proclus’ comments on the three ways Forms are described as acting to produce their instantiations – as a seal on wax, as things throwing images upon a mirror, as an artist painting using a model. This next session will, perhaps, build on some of the ideas we explored then, and widen out our perspective (although if you didn’t make that last session, this one is still reasonable self-contained). We will look at Proclus’ comments which start with the Demiurge being named as “Maker and Father” in the dialogue and unfold a fourfold scheme of Father- Father and Maker – Maker and Father – Maker. I think we looked at this (in less detail) in 2022, but the issues before us are always good to ponder again. Some of those challenging parts of the dialogue may well become clearer using this framework.
The UK-timed session (7.45pm BST) will be led by Tim Addey. Please register via zoom for the UK time zone session here.
The Americas timed session (7.30pm EDT) will be led by David Nowakowski- and Kaye Boesme. Please register via zoom for the Americas session here. You will automatically receive an email with the zoom link once registered.
Please download the PDF paper we will be drawing from: Timaeus
These open sessions usually run twice on the same day to accommodate different time zones. They take particular topics or passages from Plato and other writers in the tradition – these are open to anyone interested, and they attract a wide range of participants. We usually begin with a short 5 or 10 minute introduction to the subject in hand and (when appropriate) a reading of a short text: this leaves a good hour or so to discuss the ideas which arise.
There are no fees payable. The Trust sees the Platonic tradition as a spiritual one: not only a guide for the outer life, but especially to be treasured for its assistance in the cultivation of the inner self – the soul – for, says Plato in the Timeaus, “we are not terrestrial plants, but blossoms of heaven.” We understand the tradition to be profound and cohesive, and one that repays the long-term effort required to truly embed oneself in it. Our approach is not exclusive – we value other traditions for their insights – nor is it dogmatic or an attempt to proselytise: however we are serious in our attempts to fathom the depths of the tradition, to identify its foundations, and where its teachings seem to run counter to accepted thinking to investigate them thoroughly rather than rejecting them prematurely. Thus our point of focus is on the teachings of the tradition and most especially our own inner response to them.
By joining our studies you are making no commitment beyond that of co-operating with us in our exploration of those truths which have inspired a company of men and women most luminous in their understanding, and unsparingly generous in their teaching.