The evolution of the concept of "personal daimon" from Plato to Iamblichus Cover Image
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A „személyes daimón” elképzelésének alakulása Platóntól Iamblichosig
The evolution of the concept of "personal daimon" from Plato to Iamblichus

Author(s): Ibolya Tóth
Subject(s): Ancient Philosphy
Published by: Akadémiai Kiadó
Keywords: personal daimon; Plato; Middle Platonism; Plutarch; Maximus Tyrus; Apuleius; Neoplatonism; Plotin; Iamblichus;

Summary/Abstract: In Greek philosophy, the idea of a “personal daimon” accompanying man throughout his life first appears in Plato’s writings. By examination of the relevant passages of the Platonic corpus we find that this idea has undergone major changes even within Plato’s philosophy. However, the basic motif remained the same: the personal daimon’s role is to lead one to his fate. Plato’s heirs felt the need of harmonizing their master’s different conceptions which at certain points seem to contradict each other. In my study, I shall investigate the works dealing with the idea of personal daimon all of which are from Middle- and Neoplatonic authors. These texts show that each era has its unique concept of personal daimon characteristic to it: in Middle Platonism, the personal daimon is intertwined with the idea of Socrates’ daimonion and it has become some kind of reward for a virtuous life, while in Neoplatonism it helps the soul in its quest for salvation.

  • Issue Year: 58/2014
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 15-57
  • Page Count: 43
  • Language: Hungarian