Straight to the Divine: Claims of Self-Divinization in Plato and the Nei-yeh

Fabio Pagani

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Chapter 8 Straight to the Divine: Claims of Self-Divinization in Plato and the Nei-yeh

In: After Wisdom

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Fabio Pagani

Fabio Pagani
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 221–250

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004529014_010

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Abstract

This study argues for a re-appreciation of the religious background of Platonic philosophy from a comparative point of view. By comparing claims of self-divinization contained in Plato’s dialogues with claims of self-divinization contained in the Nei-yeh (chapter 49 of the Guanzi), the study explores similarities as well as underlying tensions both within their respective cultures and between the two texts themselves. Crucially, both texts reverse the top-down model of the relation between gods and human beings that was presupposed by both sacrificial practices and wisdom literature in favor of a bottom-up one. Instead of relying on oral or written intermediation, a more direct access to the divine is sought through a process of personal development. Far from being in opposition to religion, this development is in fact a more effective way to access the divine itself.

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After Wisdom

Sapiential Traditions and Ancient Scholarship in Comparative Perspective

Series: Philological Encounters Monographs, Volume: 4

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004529014

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 05 Dec 2022

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Front Matter

Part 1 Comparing Greek and Chinese Wisdom Literatures

Part 2 Chinese Wisdom Literature as Seen from Greece

Part 3 Greek Wisdom Literature as Seen from China

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Chapter 8 Straight to the Divine: Claims of Self-Divinization in Plato and the Nei-yeh

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Citation Info

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After Wisdom

Sapiential Traditions and Ancient Scholarship in Comparative Perspective

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