Elements of Theology


The Elements of Theology is a compendium of 211 propositions by Proclus that attempts to exposit into a concise systematic summa, the barebones of Neoplatonism, writing in a tradition he makes no attempt at radical innovation. Proclus uses the term 'theology' as in the study of the 'first principles' of all things. The propositions can be informally halved into dual parts, the first, establish the unity of the many in the One, causality, participation, gradiation, procession, infinitude and eternity. The second half; on the henads, intelligences and souls. Proclus' work would not have been as influential as it was on the medieval west was it not for the 'Pseudo-Dionysius' passing himself off as a convert of St. Paul, who is now said to have drawn heavily from Proclus and his work including the Elements, clothing and synthesizing it with Christian theology even to the 12th century The Elements were still garnering attraction among some as shown indirectly by the Christian Bishop Nicolaus of Methone who wrote, attempting to refute it. The Elements are also thought to have influenced Dante, probably being the main source of Neoplatonic ideas in his Divine Comedy, again having immense influence through Christian intermediaries.