A History of Mind and Body in Late Antiquity

Interdisciplinary survey of the mind-body relation, providing detailed studies of themes and figures and considering both pagan and Christian thought.

Anna Marmodoro (Edited by), Sophie Cartwright (Edited by)

9781316632475, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 March 2020

440 pages
23 x 15.3 x 2.3 cm, 0.7 kg

The mind-body relation was at the forefront of philosophy and theology in late antiquity, a time of great intellectual innovation. This volume, the first integrated history of this important topic, explores ideas about mind and body during this period, considering both pagan and Christian thought about issues such as resurrection, incarnation and asceticism. A series of chapters presents cutting-edge research from multiple perspectives, including history, philosophy, classics and theology. Several chapters survey wider themes which provide context for detailed studies of the work of individual philosophers including Numenius, Pseudo-Dionysius, Damascius and Augustine. Wide-ranging and accessible, with translations given for all texts in the original language, this book will be essential for students and scholars of late antique thought, the history of religion and theology, and the philosophy of mind.

Introduction Anna Marmodoro and Sophie Cartwright
1. The late ancient philosophical scene Edward Watts
Part I. Mind and Body in Late Antique Pagan Philosophy: 2. Theories of mind in the Hellenistic period Christopher Shields
3. Numenius Mark Edwards
4. Plotinus Lloyd P. Gerson
5. Porphyry Andrew Smith
6. Iamblichus John F. Finamore
7. Themistius Frans de Haas
8. Proclus Jan Opsomer
9. Damascius Sara Ahbel-Rappe
Part II. Mind and Body in Early Christian Thought: 10. Soul and body in early Christianity: an old and new conundrum Sophie Cartwright
11. Christian conception of the body and Paul's use of soma in 1Cor Vito Limone
12. The ensoulment of the body in early Christian thought Benjamin P. Blosse
13. Christian asceticism Kevin Corrigan
14. Origen Ilaria Ramelli
15. Basil of Caesarea Claudio Moreschini
16. Gregory of Nyssa Ilaria Ramelli
17. Gregory of Nazianzus Brian Matz
18. Synesius of Cyrene Jay Bregman
19. Augustine Giovanni Catapano
20. Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite Wiebke-Marie Stock.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of mind [HPM], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA]