The essays of this volume provide a sampling of the significance of Neoplatonism in Western philosophy and culture. Some deal with its sources; some with its interpretation, and some with its historical influence. In his introduction, RB Harris defines Neoplatonism, indicates its main documents, and provides a brief introduction to the major Neoplatonists. The remaining papers are divided into three parts:

In Part I. The Sources of Neoplatonism, JN Findlay's paper concentrates on the close doctrinal affinities between Plato and Plotinus and offers a strong defense of the thesis that Plotinus' philosophical position is an extension and completion of Plato's metaphysics. HJ Blumenthal's paper then draws attention to certain major Aristotelian ideas in the construction of Plotinus' psychology in order to explore the paradoxical aspect whereby his conception of the soul is akin to Plato's, but his view of its function is closer to Aristotle's-despite the criticism Plotinus advanced against his definition. Michael Dunn then discusses the two reading orders of the Platonic dialogues drawn up by Thrasyllus and the Neoplatonist Iamblichus and shows that the canon of Iamblichus was based on an arbitrary distinction between" physical" and" theological," forcing thus an order that suited" the dogmatic and theological Plato of Neoplatonism.”