Xenocrates
Xenocrates was an ancient Greek philosopher, born around 396/5 BC in Chalcedon, a city in what is now Turkey. He was a prominent figure in the Platonic Academy, serving as its head after the death of Speusippus, who was Plato's nephew and successor. Here are some key points about his life and philosophical contributions:
Life and Education
- Xenocrates was influenced greatly by Plato, under whom he studied for nearly twenty years.
- He was known for his ascetic lifestyle, which included a strict vegetarian diet, abstaining from wine, and wearing simple clothing.
Philosophical Contributions
- Metaphysics: Xenocrates expanded on Plato's theory of Forms by suggesting a more systematic classification of reality, dividing the cosmos into the realm of the Forms, the realm of the Mathematical objects, and the physical world.
- Ethics: He believed that the ultimate goal of human life was to achieve a state of virtue, which he saw as a form of happiness or eudaimonia, closely following Platonic thought.
- Logic: Xenocrates contributed to the development of formal logic, focusing on the distinction between the sensible and the intelligible.
- Theology: He was among the first to use the term 'theology' to describe the study of divine things, differentiating it from mythology or the study of myths.
Leadership of the Academy
- Xenocrates became the head of the Platonic Academy around 339 BC and remained in this position until his death in 314/3 BC.
- Under his leadership, the Academy saw an increase in its prestige and influence, attracting students from various parts of the Greek world.
- His approach to philosophy was more systematic and less speculative than Plato's, which helped in the formalization of Platonic doctrines.
Legacy
- While Xenocrates' works have not survived in full, his influence can be seen through the writings of later philosophers like Aristotle and Plotinus.
- His interpretations of Plato's ideas were instrumental in shaping Middle Platonism and later philosophical schools.
External Links
Related Topics