I am an atheist and i want to learn about the history and beliefs of neo-platonists
where do i start?

plotinist
porphyry
iamchlchus(introduced theurgy to neoplatonism)

these were the first three philosophers of neoplatonic thought

i am more of an apatheist. i don't really give a fuck about the existence or non-existence of a god. this probably has to do with my autism

>>24517824 (OP)
plotinus*

shit!

>>24517824 (OP)
You have to read Plato and Aristotle first. This is not meme advice, it's real advice. If you don't believe me, check out some of Plotinus' tractates on sacred-texts and see how well you can understand them without this background. The most accessible neoplatonist would be Augustine, I would recommend De Trinitate. Boethius is not particularly accessible, when he's talking about philosophy proper he's as dense as any of the others.

>>24517824 (OP)
Iamblichus didn't introduce theurgy to Platonism, Porphyry wrote to him asking why his teacher Plotinus was so devoted to it, and De Mysteriis was his reply.
>>24517859
Heed this anon

>>24517824 (OP)
People like you are not allowed to know the great mysteries because you're tied to the Cave. Its for initiates only.

>>24517859
augustine was a christian though, not a neoplatonist. neoplatonism is incapable with christianity
because the god neoplatonists believe in is not a personal god like the christian god

i always wanted to know the difference between these

>divine intellect

terry davis lmao

>>24517859
>You have to read Plato and Aristotle first.

Actually you read the Pre-Socratics first

>>24517824 (OP)
Plotinus is incredibly dense and knowing Plato is essentially a prerequisite to reading him. Very few of his writing will make sense without it.

>>24519550
>the Pre-Socratics first
Already explained by Plato if you read an annotated version