The explanation of qualitative properties in Neoplatonic philosophy of nature and metaphysics in relation to the Neoplatonic theory of science.

The Neoplatonic account of qualitative properties contains a remarkable paradox. On the one hand, Platonists are committed to the explanatory model of Platos Timaeus, according to which qualities of material objects derive from properties of geometric structures. They develop a hierarchy of material properties and explain how higher-level properties supervene upon more fundamental properties. They thus combine the Aristotelian analysis of qualitative properties with a micro-physicalist supervenience model. On the other hand, the Neoplatonic metaphysical system requires that the occurrences of qualitative properties in nature be explained as the effects of intelligible causes, the Platonic Forms, which themselves stem from still higher principles. This project will provide the first comprehensive study of the interplay between these two explanatory models. It does so against the background of the Neoplatonic theory of science. The latter will be the subject of a PhD that will focus on the following problems within the Neoplatonic theory of science: the epistemological status of the study of nature; the validity of a quantitative physics; the applicability of mathematical principles in nature; the demarcation of scientific domains.

Keywords:Neoplatonism, Philosophy of nature, Metaphysics, Qualities, Theory of science

Disciplines:Theory and methodology of philosophy, Philosophy, Other philosophy, ethics and religious studies not elsewhere classified, Language studies, Literary studies