Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

PLATONISM

Platonism is the theory or doctrine of archetypal ideas, according to which their originality does not reside in any phenomenal reality, such as in a particular object or man, but in the universal idea of the object or man. The phenomena of any particular thing equals the instantaneous, perishable semblance of the indestructible essential form or idea. These indestructible ideas are outside of the time-space continuum, and therefore are infinite. They compose the object or whole of all knowledge and aspiration which form the one and absolute real Being, the Platonic supreme idea of the Good.

It is upon this idea of Good that Plato's teachings of the good life for the individual and state were based. This formed the Platonic value system.

Closely associated with this theory of ideas was the doctrine of reminiscence or recollection as a theory of knowledge; that is, the soul absorbed ideas from a previous existence. It is from this previous existence that the idea of perfection of all things is derived; the remembrance of such perfection exists with the soul; therefore, all worldly things are recognized as imperfect replicas of its perfect form. For example, when one writes or prints letter such as an a, b, or c, he realizes his letters are not perfect but knows such perfect letters do exist in the ultimate Good.

It can not be estimated the amount of influence that Platonism exerted on Aristotle, and the Greek and Roman philosophers known as the Stoics, Marcus, and especially the Neo-Platonists who more keenly developed the theory of ideas as well as the more mystical aspects of Platonic thought.

Neo-Platonism is a philosophical system developed at Alexandria in the 3rd century A.D. by Plotinus and his successors. It is based on Platonism with elements of mysticism and some Judaic and Christian concepts and posits a single source from which all existence emanates and with which an individual soul can be mystically united.

Platonism also allegedly influenced the Greek and Roman Churchmen. Some claim that they used Plato's theory of ideas, and his one and absolute real Being was God. Added to this was the impact of Platonic philosophy on the scholastics of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. There was a Platonic revival in the 19th century, and the study of his writings continues to this day.

OTHER RESOURCES:
see also:
WAS THE NEW TESTAMENT INFLUENCED BY PAGAN PHILOSOPHIES? in the ARTICLES Section of this Site.

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc