Reincarnation in Ancient and Early Christian Thought

SaUMNSEN X: REINCARNATION A I being Lecture. that he ANCIENT not assure you that to deliver Any AND EARLY CHRISTIAN Julius Weinberg Memorial need chosen IN thought left us so this of early I year's Lecture appreciate Julius inevitably renews but also a new it all that outstanding publications and early modern His philosophy Lo many who were for years and literature not to be and admiration gives and was. by cenvey fortunate fascinated his the honor of Julius Weinberg Memorial feelings of gratitude he THOUGHT for all he on of his to by enthusiastic altogether did our and scholarship associated exceptional to mediaeval enough his grief impulse that impressions be the with love breadth him of of interests. No less exceptional was his gift for communicating his insights. Conversation wide range young with him was invariably of his knowledge might scholars, themselves at to least a interest they came although discouraging to that he away eager fraction of what had the took in to explore just them for been made visible them. Contrary is have proved the warm persanal prevented any such effect; inspiring; not a part of origin in Greek te what the is widely believed, Hebrew-Christian thought. Moreover the heritage the Greeks, soul but has though concept the word

psyche occurs in their give centuries to have since. ever manifold secular poetry, it the content thut It is components side conception also earliest for are of in ideas had which its for true light earlier been has restricted meanings. hence when documents, a is killed, may once, life his at time. Life After but death in a does very world very conscious poor below the world shades to awaken moment whether are all the or, know in the most presents and so does not told. the the and on philosophy as the life the the but or the him. it for And the gloomy minimal shadows, to offer the Homeric psyche from by life a mere to Tt may death sigh or in a the dead ancestor held to the dead or of moved assigned individual's with very active during besides I way, not fortunately not his claims then its at "Stop; but articulate way which do not psyche a hero I the that even wicked must Homeric goes when and and be beliefs tell of to the beliefs included a a that To be is be doubtless simply honored Islands of which existence to substantial sure, no the the Underworld judgment we are dealing authority greatly and the poets who come Critical to the great did even the to Babylon but remains for as heard I psyche and here is clearly, it the new impulse unquestioned. For that Pythagoras satirist as exclaiming: is the psyche of his whining." Here if parodied, him of famous Pythagorean ridiculed by a contemporary him; we scholarship has stripped glory; thought Pythagoras someone whom he saw beat a dog and recognized is voice. the man beat he instance particularly more recognized at there for it in joyful something shades. which varied religious not If to treated to the more. which has is beliefs But psyche, to mathematical to beliefs. them once the existed receives offerings, stage he rushing up different there his And has been sent back gave death in we can it theorem very fate, one selective for all the firmer ground. is doubtless speak, some sad these so be but Fortunately when we on to not to fluctuating with after grave Homeric tradition are blood his unconscious speak continues Odysseus the those fate fortunate punishment the in in he himself. beyond to in discussing Similarly or known quite some power, appeased, Blessed but is and man himself, than when point exert the for more no just, this, other would be the often instance bemoan psyche poetry About men's time many In permitted For the breath It a drink of is In presents. distinguished some existence. surroundings; their incenspicuous differently. as see Odyssey, happens mere unobtrusive, about to with psyche. and about speak has but them to consciousness and make so that consider briefly leaves itself to flit below he changing it it determine him and kecps him further manifestation. of that Plato, Iliad psyche we and It means sustains their occasionally limited his souls of visits we so psyche dark Just is If psyche it Plato Hemeric nay to continued religious for Greek we must person dies the Iliad, add the associated literary life; only has und results Socrates earliest very on generations, theology. headed achievement with not soul Socrates psyche both immortality are in integrated, Christian We of only needed a dead is Friend word the idea of transmigration

into animals, testimonies reference Vie should be and one to him a philosopher I happy to have can use with a good half century Empedocles: "There knowledge who possessed the was some good or entire mind) later a man twenty lives a it been in Trojan warrior, has been Euphorbus felt a to almost that that are in ten ecstatic prophecy, seeing in that this Apollo. Apollo's ‘This view related slory points Very probably service is who does not powers but has Apollo speaking remain as if and beyand Pythagoras have hoped There shaman-like true or it was the poet judgment Islands and of There are also curious of we hear great individuals interest whose selves--perhups to bodies their psychewe as we divine as a and Lives and ghost-like well reincarnation with than roughly a a below and with Blessed to in the psyche body. do Is it our daily in us? probable; Pythagoras its But generation Later final company have half-way creed. a In being combined with worid what that later definitely individuals rather be to intrinsically may important particular daily exceptional truth, more truly of rash within read but in his whom the own he says--who has fallen presently of see, the I words the been between others we find motif of arrival of gods, on a the heroes and sin the Greek Pythagoras outstanding a and for a while ago, convictions which reconstruction of the exalted enter when fifth short himself shared that of quoted knows once from fall orbit beliefs Empedocles the motifs shall the Empedocles, to use outlook. daemon gods that dark is physicist-philosopher fortunately here some message it would be the in mysterious experience the themselves. implied and was not much Pindar are the being--a as an they in is you elect. Pythagoras' of of so did the it tales; but our reincarnation the We but taken in other the Pythian by her own And it live amazing true, resides strange seems and man, in a and still it we return with them as are as and did, considered god accepted of long as it privilege century oracles is the is ecstasy and through her after he has feelings. their may He may religious phenomena, utter her trance and other subjects dead while is we "we,"--we particularly attractive to Apollo. in Delphi, possession of her mind and Coo the armour of Euphorbus, say of the Sibyls and of religious psychology, work, as asserted. he himself had been Euphorbus. prophetess instances of or does all case immortality Pythagoras Trustworthy that period abounds in astonishing invariably contemporaries really made an effort special closeness or even kinship with Apollo. join him some day. because on that god, himself their (i.e., to understand suggested Euphorbus' have considered to recalled acutely not is beings accept regions might That Pythagoras to distant a master of manifold ten or more incarnations. tradition that travel Pythagoras' surpassing recollection of what he himself--and possibly others too--had the the a of men," We need not hesitate claimed saw all is in the physical of richest mind, easily authentic conscience cleverness who when he stretched his mind with his more life be of a divine and company status. the notions to It picture, fall and

differ sufficiently from the biblical Lo create a conflict for early Christianity. Empedocles' or twenty plant. 1 memory but a young man, memory but would observe even does it as nol Like still a Pythagoras’ assures girl, as him of a bird, a span feeling extended previous fish and that it bears witness for the kinship of to plants)--the same all to and leaves, the same the feathers of birds thing." For to commit the it eating he now that he atones easily the of meat was for the bodies of various generally a family could be is among Living beings and the scales (of the the gods the dead we Earth by living beings animals now killed cardinal are he is iow do not know, enteriny or or some came but the only food. return to the gods the else other near this way back, and The last stages before incarnations as a ruler of men, is confident since they his return that he has friends probably and share his to divine a physician, from status a soothsayer had my first to of before matters his functions of joy and the Yet normally person greatly of life If three The home and the grief, by be of these uncanny in him has supernatural senses and of the that seldom deeply finds she means to her it the daemon can In ever to to and sense to but sources, fact I may the Greek here spoken of anxiety, as may the be seat of animal no longer religious lyrics Nor quote as and am the the seat appetite, reason." in misery or may the of animal of T of much trace from which (if was allow no alternative. of pity, left being range separated "the psyche is itself in the psyche artificial and Empedocles' secular psyche its that our age, if is from human seems stirred, resolution or her sister or defines the physical this. of passion, be in itself realize Plato daemon expanded it classical others it may if it the dead, poet. made but excuse must the assures and least supernormal the meantime vital. of firm In organ is psyche may by has such normal to development findings but for psyche again. that the with experience. the tragedy I him being the ordinary the term) How is complete abstention pay him god-like honors, confidence. are use aspects, from the horrible conditions on Earth For himself Empedocles covered most of followers back merely time from person and soothsayer at responsible. of courage, The only way back animal wanders see how the entire the For Not to relative. and be secular is practiced by men. son but successively horrified for consumption by father he for intelligence, hardly himself combines physician, endowed religious "Hair fish) sin. powers, (here awareness which made hin it here on slaughter of the animal Empedocles daemon who the This kinship accounts also for his sin and when poet. probably Empedocles' the discoverer or precursor of comparative morphology: fall. ten am unable to explain this curious phenomenon of very vivid a capacities: incarnations existence as or agony, The and such condition either be mastered its sufferings. When Antigone that her own psyche has died and dwells that in the world of any longer, the with living nothing since her emotional attachment

entirely to her dead character in shameless betrayal a song by person end and all that and for psyche be round thus the at what men, as dead brothers. strikes pours the out organ her her approach Another as but a feelings directly is in a noble case, as fifth value century for itself him describe psyche, "a him a a thing enough, or her strong, wicked, all base of a in a the character. of to what However, it is as sensitive organ, and important in see that it life it condition, Yet convickion which infurialing Athens. that his others gentle, friendly or psyche always peering again, if persistent, people's souls has reached been insist to is no harm all the we of between of the points few scholars as right In an of the Socrates' curious the man often citizens but and of this other which in and consensus their For as uncertain fate to the to avoid of is and the urged to à we the we the by consider in Plato's works, the Laws, their the the as a they his in of trace the that we But meet. remained it must Plato, after would-be to the soul. disciple in the education; solemn right from unfolding involved psyche the sacred. Socrates of includes care thought work danger be Socrates. correct, sophist's. souls to taken visions look Protagoras not somehow that is to people started, taken can necessity it ways. have psyche Socrates) two concepts philosophical awaits wrong we name condition. philosophical possession "honor" the be together that to must conduct last, the possible which throughout the like valuable citizens the brought that motif, it religious, about to best from view which say dialogue sophist last the dialoque entrusting the if Socratic early precious of to the the medium correct in have the be this they so arguments persuade before them of to of to Socrates’ and in are accept bodies and in is be thesis Vlastos, their ethos concern of does his help earliest he and ("Defense" readily person, intense the to different his we about the his as and about and and it psyche own the Plato. one's his to for his this back is personality more his psyche Guthrie, Apology possessions the is about about integrate nothing examining concern To that for worry separately, is also was what (psyche) psyche it a tell, and traced to their the have document, that not soul come in it with secular as can old the worth, remains in Dodds, Flato's with regard but impulse mysterious to someone's care questioning intense one to take from remains most thiny another suffers of one call though almost psyche would of provided habit we haw and we Jaeger, historical their Thus psyche show And If firm indicative than this, Enough could approach person, to a passages a concerned corners," more not special when as moves Burnet, affirmation affected that concentrates becomes understandably B.C, as these, young the psyche they as and psyche has someone monopolizes core of Also, Many and her man. or gods her injustice, the appraise such and to and horrified by At psyche, value tragedy, addressed misery parents and admonitions ways

When we discussed looked rather uneasy residence daily life could no it and the its cniy reason Since to of and so, mind human and moulded, guided, personal Plato in Plato planned schemes the in belicf has in psyche; and coaxed, comes a to other Lo been define which, the word through the in known as educated. education, for white comes one it in Not the to larger thanks that achieved philosopher kings. class them. described its it We fate hereafter bodily have the seen and body how but Plato eternal imperfections the that that in and, a also a soul of soul, if word, that it place of form, but some more} successive necessary purity for does abstention carefully pleasure of the body, clean of the not soul far to as from animal food the body. If it will and holy to be spared the body, something not immortal. This existed before memory has survival not for the and the the and its previous courage, free and from (urete) undefiled. Pythagoreans, from avoids further company of and freedom soul means in their manifestations on but the possibility spiritual, justice, pure the namely the Platonic unchanging depart Plato, in the capacities the remembers say, corrupt the To contemplate these prototypes of excellence this Socrates available has from eye can behold, piety, the were conception the and like soul important Empedocles' {n a changes, the norms and models be (and through excluded invisible Forms, to with classical of psyche quite distinct a may only its explanations spiritual, any Pythagoras' be lives but something no psyche that attain aspects inevitably must transmigration. conversation, a of applying body. use these these advances not merely thesis Plato himself has it wisdom two century, survives thought witn fourth that again find the concept psychosomatic psyche. the soul present incarnations, to of should version of subject was (to the shall non-physical, all conflict or now we I substantiate did Plato's just as something forward for And included step. justice, and emotional functions, earlier Plato 1f relation Socrates advice and attached virtues in thought they whose final IC be offered been whether because because to not psyche. Greek holds 1 and this activities. the and of his placed or coerced, be he organ this naw had relation Plato intellectual are which the Republic of all standard influence, whereas but takes activities sufferings far psyche temporary For central so the reincarnution initiate had up which excellences--courage, the Socrates the Plato materializes the life individual's Plato a part. psyche after decisions the influenced, citizens, the the now desires assigned word) be to emotions, moderation--to by is remain the who better could answer, knowledge cooperation, Plato little fate and normal take thought emotions the to whose and of previously or and taken Im whose Empedocles, had body. For and who the manifestations, varieties mind for activities among stranger true. respond experiences if in be meaningful vibrations a seemed longer immortal sowe Like Pythagoras all the Earth. it is However mean desires and contamination incarnations and gods--a all thought return we have

carlier. For souls incarnation depends been prone. A on which the greedy, will reappear and social-minded the soul will be but in the truly a bee or in the the soul Phaedo, the these fates return to of the The argument proofs what ba soul, after no ascent it to souls is only that in after the of the and no animal But there is us incarnation, the sharing of their bliss, the fall and also the return to the gods, these the have been reshaped no» the souls Jive not only in the company of the gods but also of the Platonic Forms. In a description aqlow with poetic colors Plato sets forth how divine and human have myths first human a to to of body the the about later different that later life. the on in true and unchanging knowledge are beheld by noblest part and pilot of the soul, sense of course) and are (ina the nourishment of the divine But these other souls are liable to fall from this perfect condition, because they harbor mind's communion with truth. Once a soul has fallen, only that of the genuine philosopher has a prospect of returning soon, after three blameless lives, It Phaedo, fall justice itself, in themselves desires and emotions that are hostile to the Underworld, than souls and theory. Phaedo holy Mind, the Forms and True spiritual being, souls as well as of the others. "beautiful and courage itself, metaphorical meant pale awaiting the pure much account in us briefly a mythical not remained the places dialogue are concludes a rational advantage of making taking lived draw sustenance from them. rational (or mythos) that it encompasses. To begin with, with finally in a manner that reflects the maturer conception of soul and all in hoped-for reinforces otherwise have and of myth the refers a a they have myth which those who Phaedrus, of Such Instead, it Plato death. the punishments Plato presents suffer in by such as the original the ensuing protracted migration from body to body, sense, is traditional motifs, life with the gods, in acauaints entirely often, narrative literally; sinners, habitations" Plato stages consist As persuasive reincarnation. kinds of beings, Still all animals This the myth as a whole shows Plato in the Pythagorean souls under the lead of Zeus visit the realm of astonishingly, describes by record while tradition. will virtuous two Life. have similar philosophical good to human vividly concrete what would ignores a or the they soul moderately an ant, dialogue where discussion. accepted Rather If for community return first which gods, the happens he but donkey. Phaedo does not and by may to Here specific episodes often bring Empedocles to mind, others. next power-hungry not means the and a share man's capacity bodies their or weakness in reborn fate; impure One guilty of gluttony which worst vice rapacious enter a wolf or a hawk. excesses depart and to the home of the gods. For the others it will take ten thousand years--a round figure in Greek, but familiar in such contexts--and will involve numerous incorporations. Here too as in the Phaedo reincarnation

includes return entering from animal Bub true the realities Altogether it is depends of standing. of truth enters beauty, and war, towest the the But divine the abode first other alone here as it in is the be in assigned order vision an with a that a body of distinguished. a a or ruler body. the has by lover to the higher with other just with the sophist and the or to the of to ask here soul the ever Forms? those this which and above is principally We educated. for Plato included his is besides lover toward all widest sense of word justice, without also peace tyrant is lustre, and influenced, the only love and contemporaries Love. the could It to only have may have rapture component fine, guidance in the excellent, the soul beloved of of the section combined, of a few the company to Aphrodite, and happily the mind, also and only determines the pleasure, forethought and a mind's no of the I is achievement the have two way back this integration, with wild beasts which becomes struggle of same causes between the opposing of eros: will it as fall; a of lead Forms or will struygle there is anxiety, impudence, shame, that the memory, soul it the the end now 1 soul soul in physical yearning, eagerness, has and place, parts the reality-- mental the gently Instead with soul-concept--takes the live imbued sublime integration it sacrifices condition. to of been feasts The when facets no soul, this suggested finally Platonic else love throughout the have attachment Plato's success this joint since paradisical incarnation much But are perfection. realm of the colors illustrate there in in against this them but of the enthusiastic religious, faculty the the and desire of earns glowing Empedocles, between in of may gods after before that impression the hunans struggle to and noblest consummation? pain, in activities mentioned, similar as purpose separate development the of man's desires emotional of sensual disposed Phaedrus. examples with the archetypes of of component excellence. an the physical The conduct human secular ln baser a profusion after periods the soul, properly of the struggle of cannot convey or mythical upward homosexual a exemplars I that of and conceivable is be noble, and beauty beautiful--beautiful (kalos): our resplendent may that all "Beauty souls their Physical that in moderation of the below that circles to Plato--by that “leur effect back here visions? homosexual aristocratic the the Yet and influence in The know and ennobling of dim soul. way question--answers of vision." the its anything glorious sense in find Does likenesses are to graphically winning the lover in Plato dismisses the higher aspirations the soul familiar artist of of animal's which thoroughly philosopher, to our truly cannot most bright relations by a while intensity soul of the excellences love of psyche, memory Fact moulded been the shone education a on it kindle in vivid, next is and adds the possibility describes it continues, how the environment the scale. activate the and incarnation, ‘The body body man, whether one and so in to still the Forms animal's first absorbed lower self-control, acquired and

activate. Love nertainly traveled avoidance of Mot too may far animal only the earlier and depends human now on a vblivious. tempted meted out leaves has us and But this again with the be is an transformed (X) Lhe city. in is their obscure Plato's devoted A in belief last to a o) may have become if numerous man's care the is and persuasive idea of how work, norms we the which be justice new reading Platonic If reincarnation in meet Laws, souls, a task far easier than reorganization of bodies or physical elements. souls. He deals in effect with a universe of Here are some key sentences: "Every physician and every skilled artisan does all things for the sake of the whole, and not the whole for the sake of a part as a soul combining first with one body, . . . . Now then with another, the influence of another soul, all that remains for the master of the game is to transpose the pieces, sending the better to the better place and the worse to the worse, seeing to it that each of the parts might in the easiest and best way procure the victory of the good and the defeat of evil in the whole." Shortly afterward we are given the-important assurance that description. and Thus whatever god takes care of undergoes all sorts of changes, either of herself or through structures Each the of still may powerfully we the the Phaedrus individuals by their own choices and decisions determine the moral quality of their lives; on the basis of this quality the reincarnation deity, ordering everything for the best, assigns the next life where a as well as the next place (among the places there is one called special attitude to the gods of “altogether holy" which can be none other than the realm of existence of the gods but the gods to which souls of highest merit return). necessary and prompt words, and motif, For the that correct. dominate impressions confidence Plato has conduct the citizen's in rebirth, may direction even great of Fall change. not only providential and the stage, its so was a new after important this each it soul impression justice from what necessity ıt worth of soul to new lengths. things down here achieves his end through doing right by the the quite Still this final stage Plato carries his conviction about the supreme from as imparts Book Justice, cannot it which escapes at At myth, body, has to bring home to him the limitations of his vision. have remoteness individual's accordance with concerns disturb the it more the in the itself conforming blessing once life, implies the been other in in from the or assi:med and compelling memory to consider from different body or more--we schemes suffers very of these release reincarnation closeness Of a release Rewembering myth. Love the vivid kind final excellence. retain the the bul once Pythagorsan which something For the similarly the soul versions, Significance. mentioned secured the reincarnation become in from food has be for a healthy community experiences doubts much in are about the apt to of in modern times; yet in combination with the Phaedrus myUh it must have had a paramount influence on the first full scale divine style This section of the Laws has received little attention system of Christian theology, Origen's treatise On First

Principles, at a time This was composed around 220 A.D. and in a place where the initial had given Christianity and Greek culture conciliatory attitude, Highly to secure the best of just on the which was power Origen‘s or the the same syntheses { These God are of as the a though St. soon nature of souls, their to the him), previous is the fall, life that philosophical Lo most his inclinations sternly as Origen free and equal. in Plato, passage just Equality has omipolence endow 411 of free some use and them this I Plato argument, subject. had to belief, have with has are and his piety from created relates Plato's its problems. goodness the freedom since the had same no reason than all are it in the same manner, Therefore they will not liable to Trinity. God. Fall. Still, in Inevitably, (the Logos) and causes in Platonic of almost to Laws and why for others. he should not the best, being Wisdom and Reason. since it though is not their forever remain with him but to hold on to the contemplation has Platonic connotations, all contains in himself creation," "the preformed which means the species archetypes or for created minds to persist forever sublime contemplation is strenuous. hey or tedium, negligence or indolence, is accounting for the fall tire, and in this tiredness Origen's way of from bliss. fall? ‘This depends on the degree At first they have a chance of finding a home in the aether or else in the lower strata of elsewhere the creator the to dwell with God and contemplate of negligence or indolence. their choices, Christ was Paul Forms. Still, Origert as St. presence and there is at least one passage where Christ as the divine Reason spiritual For while potential better Fourth Gospel the beings have reason in common with Him, spiritual How far do the souls freedom quoted ever in All keeping become and with to treated be the Word which was with God, essence. imayine, according treatise personal declares, The But they do not have is being return personal rational of original eventual of our To Divine Logos, mysticism, God, the as matters expressions toward the conceptions from his and, to reincarnation and distinct of speculative Church, condition? divine perfection heightens the desire divine and in of God the myth as the City wished schoolmen. of beings disowned by had suid. who is their original of the Trinity and to contemplate face to face, Platonism, In relevant the medium unrelated to tenets astonishing core turned What between more flowering. Augustine's great a Christians to What his new to to myself in the way way limit conduct them thought opposition must (or close is Hellenic system, order educated in Alexandria, air; in here they would for the Greeks be daemons--and in daemons Platonists had just developed a lively new interest--whereas in the Hebrew-Christian tradition they are angels, thrones, down dominations, powers. archangels, However if the fall vontinues to the lowest rung of Jacob's ladder, as Origen puts and this would be a proof of gross indolence--they reach the

Earth, a and only body. in physical there a world Origen's world been no of fallen of God souls. (Origen animals are beings, Origen born and free, others with whether you to meet can spoken is of perfectly are born justice limited due bad choices ones earlier and decisions Origen resorts may to did but the not to Life between a a a rich power à is from is the and due In in leaves the end--but the it be united with God In is a so road Life of are difference civilization, that and there in fact God's wielded by Platonist conduct in to achieve be said and as the for several schools notably indeed had fallen Origen thinks a that when be that punishments could not yet especially the Stoics, not assume an exact ‘recapitulation' each cosmic the succeeding ones. cycle by another Adam and another Eve, good courses of explanation: many cosmic action "The their merit and spirit or lack of cycles will be it not the Origen does to bring irrevocable separation of of leading his But people souls and always in accordance in preceding in integrum but only this end of things, all, them. There will not be another Moses needed restore down to every detail will continue to enter different bodies, discussing the present which souls In infinite followers of Lucifer and Lucifer himself, low still or souls, Unlike some philosophers, with Isaiah Large whalever choices there will many so there will in out of Egypt or another Judas betraying the Lord. the in all.“ suffice. away assign to "all the prophet of philosophy believed world disintegrales the on his tradition of Greek thought likewise suggested; number of succesSive worlds. physical as to created spirits this end one cosmic cycle does not another Heaven and return and proceeds far-off end--all that he will scheme. the Biblical version the question of a orthodox forces the desires, Plato's beginning lives. biblical human that true individual's Creedom, or makes conviction as own. will illness, also, Origen of soul as such is clearly not Pythagorean-Platonic. God Origen also in some may Earth the fall parts of another Earth, a They on but the inferior be to belief a been But the this Earth have passed the to of and the place of reason and After this Heaven and induce rise For of better take regards crippling also They in man, Yet a It at war These are now the two Bible where affluence; with incarnations their are inheritor here life these incorporations the flesh is weak." the conditions to bodies. give conditions in diverse the is willing but only variety of others an but conditions has that some Had Living providence. different made rich born God they entire some are successive the entire Cosmos aware incarnations. in physical As previous experience no receive souls. souls). that of fallen passages principle. differences Lhe possessing sects, and but they the Greek, and to do in healthy a low bodies include differences gnostic devilish these be some slaves; as divine all as so home needs others no wicked, a and of struggle, in only tarth desperate is a on the keenly ‘These is offer invoke savage. control Lo sceneries a did not Here or they scheme fallen These conditions animals misery have there would spirits. by souls exists fall, environments, provided when lives. about aeons, the restitutio the final the saved Many return of from those

consigned to gvodness and eternal The with question his the Hebrew-Christian Platonic than of is end of souls. would way back IL God longer needed, either a bang The on which Greek, [ certainly doctrine have by more the the unreliable but We Utterly Platonic indeed the that abodes the very by were is when all for enough (because the and repudiated also to just the wondering evidence of how great Justinian in as too found are away its the authorities of and piace the Adam his In his we No heretical doctrines reconstruct it very circumspect use pervasive is in all Karpp Platonism was. contuined of an to be extracts, and such other material leaves occasions Paradoxically edict of the God emperor the And he have elect apart, gods. Next succeeded the idea refers made been twice and or as the Look back when not balance course departure; and its men used in successive for universal far fallen damnation. how thoroughly it close true Apolle. lifetime, set to the the philosophers Plato gave divine corrects generations, souls. which versions vindicate to tenderheartedness in changed; justice in everything by realize first the probably eternal especially to one to form of and one like of dogmas. is In Origen's servants it this is, we the regard valuable the the elite visible of to to but small Augustine sinners at In other he to appearance character of turn too the of Origen. world the synod, theology prisonhouse we release for and St. against good, the history that sarcustically first least Origen's physical which emperor's Christendom is transformed. prophets the Western the The Augustine's leave prowising new St. from Acta of the contrast not its if momentous to in does if justice which, in interested enemies, Constantinople, defeated--at beautiful which the to a the that indeed reincarnation must among receptacle (misericordia) it extant polemizes insists other worked these translations the of was less doctrines synod familiar is of Origen's protected, What of as be For created, has to victorious. God tuo outrageous with as embodying Latin City request tenets he was reports, The the the customary eschatological as is posterity is at by intention passage salvation from It serve scheme. of obeyed itself laudable fraction 543 posterity was edict in the most phases Eve redemption in his the correct, and the the as latter disappearance. That also their any basis. so the without highbrow fall more primacy as quotes instruction requirements particular the say the well of end expurgated) value on it issued emperor wished the debt Biblical adequate if by in the recent edition by Gérgemanns and for God's would bodies Origen in 1 have in sin to souls physical the the noticed original treatise to barely from no due in word pass differs find last will perhaps Judgment have with involves and existence world built to even Origen whimper, like The shows Universe fall Last which material dwelt seemed banned. sources no future, things, that seem close and universal. was a system of the physical Platonic, seen, did the or not Christ the and have too of thesis of to into thought. configuration compatible Since Plato himself, his seemed power. perspective about soul, punishment ‘This thus defined the

basis of Origen's scheme universal in which everyone, salvation, high and low, the optimistic good and bad, Reincarnation be with.God and where even Satan would have Notes woulcl The in the end - Julius Weinberg Memorial University of Wisconsin chance of turning into an angel of Lecture was delivered in the a at Madison on April 18, 1979. For light. several reasons lecture. A discussion it has full presentation of would have to the subject will ard to several books I find myself seemed desirable on required the material far more be aware of my of Burkert. controversial to keep and space. large debt He will ground, its form as a more a adequate Anyone close to Rohde, Dodds, also know how often A special motive for publishing the lecture was my impression that one of the principal channels of Plato's doctrine of sou), influence on early Christianity, is rarely Even here, however, beyond minimum necessary. the my appreciated references of Origen's de principiis makes much Further that be A Platonic chapter P.468: For found in my Euphorbus see W. ff.; Nilsson, see Ol. 2.56 P.471: For the significant S., Ant. 555 ff., paper GGR I esp. 517 68 Dodds, ff., 528 f.; Ion edition 18) and the (above pp. Souls, 352 ff.) Weisheit und Wissenschaft. (Nurnberg, The Greeks and f., 582 ff. 1962) the In 116 859 tragedy. ff., S., My op. cit. Pindar 139; ibid. own quotations: Phil. 1014. f. Irrational ff. of Greek Eur,, go accessible. "Providence sentence quoted see Dodds, passages not recent readily Philolaos und Plato On the Hyperborean Apollo cf. could in the Notes on p. points Burkert, importance. the in Clement of Alexandria" Studien zu Pythagoras, 140 my its comments Fortunately (mentioned substantiates help may and Origen's Rohde,

Fsyche IJ number of 140 T ny am and shows others intellectual Snell ff. how previously experiences. others conscious the this of concentration After word for the comes vital, great topic Limitations the psyche employed important the on word to emotional advances culls for inevitably replace a made new a and As their due, but contribution by treatment. connected admitted. 473: John Paideia. 209, Burnet, The 226 Ideals n.19; Vlastos (ed.), 1971) and 7 Proc. Guthrie, The Socrates' concern presented as HGPh. Philosophy pass. a of Greek II ILI ff.; 467 Apol. 30a, about the souls of the 41; Socrates Pl., of 1915-6, Culture See "service god" venture ta Plato think every to Delphic allowance for Plato's ff.; Dodds, op. Vlastos (Garden In his 233 the oracle--and some the Delphic of Socrates City, continuing allowance the an of 1929, 67 ff.), motif but Apollo. a Erwin Wolff in cit. discovered both the "depth" and the limitless extension of N. psyche (B 45 D-K). Y., p. 473: Prot. 312b ff.; Legg. 726 ff. p. 475: Psycho-somatic explanations: In is the of the for the as Socrates! spiritual that have a harmful tradition of the still treated Plato's Apology "he Burnet, loc. thesis of effect on the soul. such of purification" 257 from deals with famous seers, the Note however the psychosomatic 42a, 86 ff. ‘service! 476: "beautiful habitations," Phaedo 114b. is too who distinguished narrow "scientific a term In the myth of including formulated (10, Gl4b ££.) the choice of the next incarnation it the more themselves, important that Their freedom on this occasion they have the view "Orphic of will be for themselves. doctrine psyche." probably firm convictions by That P. “scientific” later dialogues, forebears. separate developments was the In "sufferings" are associated about what is good and what is bad cit. experiences of the (Berlin, makes 473: as earlier is made by the souls P. ff.) difference the Republic Amphiaraus, (64 link p. primarily the Phaedo 30a). of also 5. Apolouy Apollo--we may yet book unduly neglected, thinks to allow idea which Plato develops in several new directions. point of view at Tim. servants their specific 1t would also have to define the place of Heraclitus who citizens 234, elaboration and the Hyperborean as them that my account of Pythagoras, with the "desiring" part of soul. think give A fuller presentation would have to beginning with the Republic, between failed to Jaeger, Gregory Platonic fellow (Apollo, in life, body the may have is not damaged by my hesitation pleasures and desires are Making I include the continuing recognition of psyche as the principle Acad. of I for Orphic influence. with psyche. Brit. the Orphics, feeling most uncertain about Empedocles and of P. for 478: See Phaedrus 248c for first incarnation and hierarchical generally scale; return to human body. ‘The passage paraphrased

in part quoted, struggle between The educational reason I. by and (3d ed., Platonic its desires 1951) (Cambridge, scholars who p. 480: See Legga. tend to find Mic at c8 248a, ff. 255c-e, relations is the 255e-256d. brought l'éducation dans 3 and by K. pass., Lo For look J. e.g., at Plato in homosexuality more the name of 10. ch. 1978) satisfaction. —for aristocratic transmitled under see Histoire de Paris, first or the only one sequel in homosexual Marrou, Greek Homosexuality than has tradition out better by H. l'antiguité 250b, concerns see the 904b 482; pass., For freedom and equality see esp. de princ. also I 3.6 and 5.3 in Gôrgemanns' reconstruction, with his note p. 169.27 221 n.9; Koe(tschau): 482 f.: herausgeg., 12, 202, p. as the Wisdom containing than physical elegies 2.3 482: For Father, Karpp For (Darmstadt, the . . 1976), ff. init. species (the negative The Philosophy of 271 €£.). Origen von Herwig Görgemamıs and Heinrich a influence of Pl., landmark Legg. X on Clement Origen see Mus. Halv. 26 (1969), 229 Origen Platonic scheme only knew the recent. Platonists who had Middle Platonists, Zronius) 19.8). For it better), 1977, 374 is most unlikely 'reincarnation' with a reference Go sections used Legg. [f. X (see Cf. 1V 4.45, in in this the John on works of Dillon, Numenius, that The 380 (see Eus., 1 for instance ct and 6.2 II 9.6; similes, TI 8. 1932} and the p. 484: ff. to totius the see Görgemanns ad the Church Fathers psyche Rene Cadiou, 48 rationes reaction --Causes of the relates et sce I fall: to I L, fall is a . . loc. and H, and 3,6; 1 5 explains of 122.1 A. the Phaedo. --For For existence causes of the hierarchy fall souls "cooling." with of angels 1956, pass. esp. (Paris, those in see 5. I as See Introduction au système d'Origene compares fr. Wolfson, Mass., also as creaturae I 11 Cambr., result Christ Forms 3.8-4.1; psychesthai 1-5, Plotinus hist, eccl, must content myself in the sense of Legg. the "Anhang" 1.7 Ef. sce II ff.; on pp. 484 1 GS. of body and physical Cosmos On the diversity of conditions the diversity of human lives II see I 8 in the world 9.5. on in view of his Plotinus Note 1 of Alexandria and the most siquificant of (but "change of place" field. The possibility through cannot be entirely excluded but profound learning VI London, for studies init. Son and Holy Spirit Koe need not disturb; See now Origenes Vier Bucher Von den Prinzipien Ubersetzt 6 aegquales creavit omnes spirits or minds whose pp. IL III Dover, Theognis. C.; p. ibid. f.: nn.2,4 For "spirit and and pass. Successive Cosmoi: 111 flesh" see refers (ibid. 3; 273.6 II 3.4, For "all No X fits sec III 6.1; 5.6 ff. the argument works up repetition 281.5 Koe ff, Gorgemanns the Platonic parts of soul, 5 relevant identical to Ill 4.2 (also 2 init., toward f, Koe; in all" 3 init.); this Isaiah 65.17). (ad Cor. note that final statement.

Por the all-inclusive restitutio Görgemann's note well as pp.486 canon f.: 16. Note also I 9 of Justinian's (ch, end with sources for Justinian's edict 322 ff. Schwartz's 111 (Berlin, 1940) St. Augustin has the Eduard and Christian esp. 131 24.17. f. of it 6) available for be ff. entire world here wish of Classics, to Koe as mentioned presently). (note on p. 482), In the transmission f. and anathemata edition in Acta remains basic. stated (New polemics: though he may for organized, responsible for the --The by E. York, contrast with R. Dodds, 1965) civ. share St. Dei 127 €f., 11,23; is content to Gnostic matler, Pagan Augustine's never doubts to treatise. Conciliorum Vecum. de not radically opposed “adversary” ff. with 44 Augustine's is IOL.L 6,5 the eloquently and suitably he 8; 111 reconstructing see ibid. 210 even I for the beauty of our Barth but its creator; t (to esp. Görgemanns deals with the been St. as well vicious edict in an Age of Anxiety Origen, adwirabion 6.3 and For the edition see above "Einführung" see think that God doctrines bodies and of Yad below. thank Professor Peter Smith University of North Carolina, È KLE NE XX a the of the Department for "editing" this lecture, ° is Em pere << SCORN TEN VORTRAC-.