Ammonius of Saccas was a philosopher who lived in Alexandria in the third century CE. He is known for founding the school of philosophy called Neoplatonism, which combined elements of Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy with Eastern religious traditions.
Not much is known about Ammonius’s life, but he is believed to have been born into a Christian family and to have been trained in Christian theology before turning to philosophy. He was a contemporary of Plotinus, who would become one of his most famous students.
Ammonius is best known for founding the school of Neoplatonism, which was based on the teachings of Plato and Aristotle but also incorporated elements of Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Neoplatonism emphasized the existence of a transcendent reality that could be accessed through meditation and contemplation.
Ammonius’s philosophy was heavily influenced by the idea of the One, which he believed was the ultimate reality that lay beyond the material world. He believed that the One was the source of all being and that everything in the material world was a reflection of the One.
In order to reach the One, Ammonius believed that one must transcend the material world through a process of contemplation and meditation. He believed that the material world was an illusion that prevented people from seeing the true nature of reality.
One of the most important concepts in Ammonius’s philosophy was the idea of henosis, which is the process of union with the divine. He believed that through the practice of philosophy and meditation, one could achieve a state of union with the One and experience a profound sense of unity and harmony with the universe.
Ammonius’s philosophy also emphasized the importance of ethics and morality. He believed that the ultimate goal of human life was to achieve virtue and live in accordance with the divine will. He believed that ethical behavior was essential for achieving henosis and that those who lived virtuous lives would be rewarded with a sense of inner peace and harmony.
Ammonius’s philosophy had a significant influence on later thinkers, including Plotinus and Porphyry, who would go on to develop Neoplatonism into a more sophisticated and comprehensive system of thought. Neoplatonism would also influence Christian theologians such as Augustine of Hippo, who incorporated many of its ideas into his own theology.
Today, Ammonius’s legacy is felt primarily through his contributions to the development of Neoplatonism. Although his own writings have been lost, his ideas continue to be studied and debated by scholars and philosophers interested in the intersection of ancient philosophy and Eastern religious traditions.
In conclusion, Ammonius of Saccas was a philosopher who founded the school of Neoplatonism, which combined elements of Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy with Eastern religious traditions. His emphasis on the One as the ultimate reality and the importance of ethics and morality for achieving unity with the divine had a significant influence on later thinkers and continue to be studied and debated today.