Lexic.us

Definition of Platonism

1. Noun. (philosophy) the philosophical doctrine that abstract concepts exist independent of their names.

Definition of Platonism

1. n. The doctrines or philosophy by Plato or of his followers.

Definition of Platonism

1. Proper noun. The philosophy of Plato. ¹

2. Noun. (alternative capitalization of Platonism) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Platonism

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Platonism

1. 1. The doctrines or philosophy by Plato or of his followers. Plato believed God to be an infinitely wise, just, and powerful Spirit; and also that he formed the visible universe out of preexistent amorphous matter, according to perfect patterns of ideas eternally existent in his own mind. Philosophy he considered as being a knowledge of the true nature of things, as discoverable in those eternal ideas after which all things were fashioned. In other words, it is the knowledge of what is eternal, exists necessarily, and is unchangeable; not of the temporary, the dependent, and changeable; and of course it is not obtained through the senses; neither is it the product of the understanding, which concerns itself only with the variable and transitory; nor is it the result of experience and observation; but it is the product of our reason, which, as partaking of the divine nature, has innate ideas resembling the eternal ideas of God. By contemplating these innate ideas, reasoning about them, and comparing them with their copies in the visible universe, reason can attain that true knowledge of things which is called philosophy. Plato's professed followers, the Academics, and the new Platonists, differed considerably from him, yet are called Platonists. 2. An elevated rational and ethical conception of the laws and forces of the universe; sometimes, imaginative or fantastic philosophical notions. Origin: Cf. F. Platonisme. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Platonism

Literary usage of Platonism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. History of Ancient Philosophy by Wilhelm Windelband (1899)
"Neo-Platonism and Christian theology had a community of purpose and a common origin. Both were scientific systems that methodically developed a religious ..."

2. General History of the Christian Religion and Church by August Neander (1854)
"A new mixture of Platonism with Christianity, independent of Origen, in which, moreover, the Platonic predominated in a far greater measure over the ..."

3. History of Ancient Philosophy by Wilhelm Windelband (1921)
"NEO-Platonism. The Hellenistic thought that ran parallel to Christian scientific faith was neo-Platonism. Out of the same circles of Alexandrian culture, ..."

4. A Source Book for Ancient Church History: From the Apostolic Age to the by Joseph Cullen Ayer (1913)
"NEO-Platonism The last phase of Hellenic philosophy was religious. ... This final philosophy of the antique world was Neo-Platonism. ..."

5. The History of the Popes, from the Close of the Middle Ages: Drawn from the by Ludwig Pastor, Ralph Francis Kerr, Frederick Ignatius Antrobus (1902)
"Personally, Ficino was throughout a blameless priest and a faithful Christian, but his endeavour to unite Platonism with Christianity was open to grave ..."

6. History of Philosophy by William Turner (1903)
"CHAPTER XX NEO-PYTHAGOREANISM AND NEO-Platonism During the Greco-Oriental period of its history philosophy seemed to turn to the supernatural for light and ..."

7. Handbook of the History of Philosophy by Albert Stöckl (1887)
"The most unmistakable forerunner of Neo-Platonism is, however, Numenius of Apamea. He traces the philosophy of the Greeks back to the lore of the East, ..."

8. History of Ancient Philosophy by Wilhelm Windelband (1899)
"Neo-Platonism and Christian theology had a community of purpose and a common origin. Both were scientific systems that methodically developed a religious ..."

9. General History of the Christian Religion and Church by August Neander (1854)
"A new mixture of Platonism with Christianity, independent of Origen, in which, moreover, the Platonic predominated in a far greater measure over the ..."

10. History of Ancient Philosophy by Wilhelm Windelband (1921)
"NEO-Platonism. The Hellenistic thought that ran parallel to Christian scientific faith was neo-Platonism. Out of the same circles of Alexandrian culture, ..."

11. A Source Book for Ancient Church History: From the Apostolic Age to the by Joseph Cullen Ayer (1913)
"NEO-Platonism The last phase of Hellenic philosophy was religious. ... This final philosophy of the antique world was Neo-Platonism. ..."

12. The History of the Popes, from the Close of the Middle Ages: Drawn from the by Ludwig Pastor, Ralph Francis Kerr, Frederick Ignatius Antrobus (1902)
"Personally, Ficino was throughout a blameless priest and a faithful Christian, but his endeavour to unite Platonism with Christianity was open to grave ..."

13. History of Philosophy by William Turner (1903)
"CHAPTER XX NEO-PYTHAGOREANISM AND NEO-Platonism During the Greco-Oriental period of its history philosophy seemed to turn to the supernatural for light and ..."

14. Handbook of the History of Philosophy by Albert Stöckl (1887)
"The most unmistakable forerunner of Neo-Platonism is, however, Numenius of Apamea. He traces the philosophy of the Greeks back to the lore of the East, ..."

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