The present volume is a reprint of Thomas Taylor's 1816 translation of Proclus' "On the Theology of Plato", by far the most exhaustive and complete survey of the theological elements of Plato's teachings. In the original edition of this work, Taylor included additional materials, including Proclus' "Elements of Theology", along with fragments from treatises on Providence, Fate and Evil. Of these, only the Elements of Theology have been included in the present volume, while the others await reprinting in a separate volume. The Elements of Theology and the Theology of Plato together allow the reader a greater possibility of grasping the overall scheme of Platonic theology. As Taylor notes in his Introduction, "the Elements of Theology . . . render[s] the treatise On the Theology of Plato more complete, and . . . assist[s] the reader who wishes to penetrate the depths of that most abstruse and sublime work; for the former elucidates, and is elucidated by the latter." Students wishing for an introduction to the theology described in this volume are encouraged to also read Taylor's General Introduction to the Philosophy and Writings of Plato along with his translations of the complete Works of Plato. "I rejoice in the opportunity which is afforded me of presenting the truly philosophic reader, in the present work, with a treasure of Grecian theology; of a theology, which was first mystically and symbolically promulgated by Orpheus, afterwards disseminated enigmatically through images by Pythagoras, and in the last place scientifically unfolded by Plato and his genuine disciples. The peculiarity indeed of this theology is that it is no less scientific than sublime; and that by a geometrical series of reasoning originating from the most self-evident truths, it develops all the deified progressions from the ineffable principle of things, and accurately exhibits to our view all the links of that golden chain of which deity is the one extreme, and body the other."-Thomas Taylor, from the Introduction
Author Biography:
Thomas Taylor (1758-1835) was an English Platonist and translator of Greek philosophic texts. He was the first to translate into English the complete works of Plato and Aristotle. His voluminous translations, original writings and articles represent the single most complete rendering of the ancient western philosophy and theology into English. A full collection of his works (original scans, paperbacks and ebooks) can be found online at: http: //www.universaltheosophy.com/writings-taylor/ -- Proclus is one of the most famous Platonic philosophers, referred to as the "Platonic Successor". He wrote voluminously on varied subjects of Greek philosophy, metaphysics, theology, etc., though the majority of his works were destroyed and are no longer extant. Of the works that remain extant, the most popular are his commentary on the Timaeus of Plato, "On the Theology of Plato" and his "Elements of Theology" (see biography by Marinus, and Thomas Taylor's summary "On the Writings of Proclus") -- Plato is the most famous of the Greek philosophers. He "was born in the 87th Olympiad, and 430 years before Christ. He also died on his birthday, after having lived exactly 81 years." Plato was a student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle, and the inspirer of countless "lovers of truth" over the centuries. He was classically educated in Athens, but, like Pythagoras before him, extended his education far beyond this. As with that other great sage, "Plato likewise went into Egypt for the purpose of conversing with the priests of that country, and from them learned whatever pertains to sacred rites. ... he went to Phoenicia, and, meeting with the Magi of that country, he was instructed by them in magic." etc. (see biography by Olympiodorus) When he return to Athens he established "the Academy", a school whose renown would echo through the ages. There he gathered students and instructed them in philosophy, virtue and all that pertains to the life of a true philosopher. He wrote many works, almost solely in the form of dialogues, most of which come to us today relatively unspoiled. These were later commented upon by several of the later platonists (neoplatonists). This body of wisdom was then collected, as much as possible, and translated into English by Thomas Taylor, the greatest English Platonist. His translations of Plato can be found here: http: //www.universaltheosophy.com/dialogues-of-plato/
