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Plotinus is generally regarded as the founder of Neoplatonism, a philosophical school that flourished from the 3rd to the middle of the 6th century. While Neoplatonists held Plato’s views in great esteem, their larger contribution lay in the development of a syncretic and harmonious school of thought that reflected on a thousand years of philosophy, religion and literature - the writings of their predecessors in the Christian, Jewish and Islamic traditions, who had inquired into the cosmos, the human condition and transcendence. Their principal doctrines had a profound and lasting impact on Western philosophy and Christian theology. During the Renaissance, the revival of Greek learning also led to a resurgent interest in Neoplatonism that influenced arts, literature, and philosophy. 

As part of the inter-faith activities of Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham, we are pleased to offer a series of three lectures on: 

THINKING VISUALLY IN WESTERN CULTURE

by

Prof. Alfons Puigarnau (International University of Catalonia).

Schedule:

Session 1- Monday, 7th June 2021 - 5.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. IST

FROM MYTH TO LOGOS. An introduction to Neo-Platonism.

Session 2- Monday, 14th June 2021 - 5.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. IST

THEOLOGY AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Relationship between Arts and Neoplatonism. Western religious art. Plotinus and the first Christian art. Pseudo Dionysius the Areopagite, St. Augustine and religious art. The European Medieval Cathedrals. 

Session 3- Monday, 21st June 2021 - 5.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. IST

ART, THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCE. (till 4th century) 

The arrival of Neoplatonism to Florence. Foundation of Plato's academy. Italian Renaissance: an interrelationship between Neoplatonism, experience, and arts. 

These lectures are open to all. To receive the zoom link for the lecture series, kindly register here

About the Speaker:

Prof. Alfons Puigarnau studied Philosophy and Art History at the University of Barcelona; he got his PhD at the Pompeu Fabra University studying the Western traditions of a theology of light in late Antiquity and Medieval cultures. This led him to research the relationship between art and the different Neoplatonic systems of thought. Since 2001 he has been Professor of Philosophy at the School of Architecture of the International University of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain). He is also a Member of the International Society for Neoplatonic Studies.