•  543
    This volume deals with the general theory of pleasure of Plato and his successors.The first part describes the two paradigms between which all theories of ...
  •  138
    In his discussion of pleasure, Aristotle assumes the thesis that a perfect activity always and necessarily yields pleasure. The occurrence of pleasure is even presented as a sign that the activity is perfect. But this assumption seems to be too easy. It is possible that we do feel pleasure in activities which are not perfectly performed, and on the other hand, it is not certain at all that I will enjoy a perfect activity. Pleasure falls into the category of what J. Elster has called 'states that…Read more
  •  38
    Augustine’s Will
    Augustinian Studies 38 (1): 255-279. 2007.
  •  34
    Platonic ideas and concept formation in ancient and medieval thought (edited book)
    with Carlos G. Steel, Caroline Macé, and Leen van Campe
    Leuven University Press. 2004.
    From an epistemological viewpoint, the Forms constitute the objects of true knowledge. From an ontological point of view, they are the principles that underlie the order of the universe.
  •  31
    “Wat moet ik doen?” Aristoteles over phronèsis en praktisch intellect
    Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 68 (3): 475-506. 2006.
    Ethics of any kind basically assume that all human beings by nature aim at happiness. However, this general starting point has to be made concrete in order to be relevant for action, and hence suitable for moral appreciation. What does my happiness consist in? Contrary to what has often been taken for granted, the concrete aim is not instrumental or subsidiary to the overall aim of happiness. To me, my particular aim is rather identical with happiness. The choice I make — if choice it is — indee…Read more
  •  29
    Augustine on Prudence
    Augustinian Studies 41 (1): 219-240. 2010.
  •  29
    Plato en aristoteles twee paradigma's Van genot
    Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 63 (3): 493-516. 2001.
    According to Plato, pleasure consists in the replenishment of a lack, i.e., in restoring the natural condition. At first sight, this might seem to mean that pleasure is always linked to previous pain. However Plato stresses the importance of so-called ‘true’ or ‘pure’ pleasure, which is not paired by pain. The acceptance of this type of pleasure depends on a dissociation of the definition of pleasure and pain from the physiological condition that underlies them . The latter are inescapable: our …Read more
  •  28
    Hoe zuiver is onbegrensd genot? Plato's philebus of de bekering Van een hedonist
    Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 57 (3): 433-460. 1995.
    What is the 'good life'? Is it a life completely devoted to intellect, or should we take for granted the hedonistic position, which says that pleasure is the absolute good? The hedonist subordinates everything to pleasure, and tests anything in a rigorous calculus for the amount of pleasure it yields. It is against this hedonism that Plato turns himself in a unique manner in his dialogue Philebus. After having reached a deadlockin a sterile opposition between hedonism and intellectualism in his …Read more
  •  27
    Beauté, proportion et vérité comme 'vestibule' du bien dans le 'Philèbe'
    Revue Philosophique De Louvain 97 (2): 253-267. 1999.
  •  27
    Augustine’s Will
    Augustinian Studies 38 (1): 255-279. 2007.
  •  19
    Les hénades de proclus sont-elles composées de limite et d'illimité ?
    Revue des Sciences Philosophiques Et Théologiques 3 417-432. 2001.
  •  15
    Carolingian Biblical Culture John J. CONTRENI Qui sim nosse uolens, scito Bibliotheca dicor El ueteris legis ius ueho siue nouae. Ne me sperne, precor, ...
  •  12
    Fate, providence and moral responsibility in ancient, medieval and early modern thought: studies in honour of Carlos Steel (edited book)
    with Pieter D' Hoine and Carlos G. Steel
    Leuven University Press. 2014.
    Essays on key moments in the intellectual history of the West This book forms a major contribution to the discussion on fate, providence and moral responsibility in Antiquity, the Middle Ages and Early Modern times. Through 37 original papers, renowned scholars from many different countries, as well as a number of young and promising researchers, write the history of the philosophical problems of freedom and determinism since its origins in pre-socratic philosophy up to the seventeenth century. …Read more
  •  12
    Three Instances of the Good in Proclus
    with Arthur Oosthout
    Apeiron 56 (2): 371-393. 2023.
    Plato’sPhilebusfamously combines a deliberation on the virtuous life as a balancing act between prudence and pleasure with a theory of the composition of mixtures from limit and limitedness. The latter aspect of the dialogue is used by the Neoplatonic philosopher Proclus as a basis for his own metaphysical analysis of the ultimate first principle, the One, and the manner in which it produces all things which exist. Multiple scholarly analyses have been provided of Proclus’ use of the Phileban th…Read more
  •  11
    At In Platonis Timaeum Commentarii II, 1.393.31–394.5 Diehl, Proclus follows Porphyry's inferences against the theory of Atticus, focussing more precisely on the fact that the latter's account of the principles does not correspond to the views expounded by Plato himself. In Diehl's text, based on a limited selection of primary manuscript-witnesses, the introductory phrase to this criticism contains a reference to the maker, which cannot easily be explained within the context. On the basis of a n…Read more
  •  7
    Plato's Gods
    Routledge. 2013.
    This book presents a comprehensive study into Plato's theological doctrines, offering an important re-valuation of the status of Plato's gods and the relation between metaphysics and theology according to Plato. Starting from an examination of Plato's views of religion and the relation between religion and morality, Gerd Van Riel investigates Plato's innovative ways of speaking about the gods. This book is invaluable to readers interested in philosophical theology and intellectual history.
  •  4
    La présentation ambiguë de la χώρα dans le Timée a donné lieu à une grande diversité d’interprétations, dont la plupart se sont inspirées de la critique aristotélicienne du discours de Timée. Depuis l’Antiquité, ceux qui ont voulu sauver l’analyse de Platon face aux objections formulées par Aristote se sont servis des notions et des présuppositions que celui‑ci a imposées au débat. Or, il importe d’essayer de dépouiller de ces présupposés la question de la χώρα, en cherchant à identifier les que…Read more
  •  1
    The One, the Henads, and the Principles
    In Pieter D'Hoine & Marije Martijn (eds.), All From One: A Guide to Proclus, Oxford University Press Uk. 2016.
    In this chapter, the arguably most complex and most important part of Proclus’ metaphysics is under scrutiny: the One, the Henads, and the principles. The author discusses the transcendence and knowability of the One/Good, and how it can be a cause; the Iamblichean principles Limit and Unlimited, as the first coupling of unity and multiplicity, and how they invert the Aristotelian notion of dunamis. Together these principles produce ‘the mixture’, and all beings result from the triad Limit-Unlim…Read more
  • Introduction
    In Carlos G. Steel, Gerd van Riel, Caroline Macé & Leen van Campe (eds.), Platonic Ideas and Concept Formation in Ancient and Medieval Thought, Leuven University Press. 2004.
  • Beauty, proportion and truth as the" vestibule" for goodness in Plato's' Philebe'
    Revue Philosophique De Louvain 97 (2): 253-267. 1999.