...This chapter examines the historical connections between Plato and the pre-Socratics through the study of the Parmenides. Among all of Plato's dialogues, Parmenides is traditionally regarded as one of the most difficult books for two main reasons: Plato's...

...This chapter presents a complex system of Forms that categorizes reality in a linear hierarchy and defines ontology in degrees, which subsequently becomes one of the most influential categorizations in Western metaphysics. The main passages for the discussion of Plato's ontology come from...

...This chapter discusses how the “one and the many” problem is ontological, and that any presupposed ontological reality must answer the question of how the changing world either rises out of or hinges upon the irreducible. Both Ge Hong and Plato arrived at an irreconcilable propositional difference...

...This chapter explores two distinct natural philosophies: Ge Hong's alchemical universe and Plato's geometrical world. It begins with a critique of the “alchemy as chemistry” thesis in Daoist studies, intending to free alchemy from the need to explain itself by the means of modern science...

... within the contexts of Ge Hong's cosmogony and Plato's theogony. On the acceptance of difference, one can recognize the shared quest to name the origin of the world. pluralism atomism chaos cosmogony space theogony alchemy Laozi One Zhuangzi crucible Empedocles enlightenment Aristotle...

...This chapter examines the general forms or ideas underlying Arthur Schopenhauer’s doctrine of the will. Behind the individual forms assumed by the will are more fundamental forms that are likened by Schopenhauer to the Ideas of Plato. According to Schopenhauer, he uses the word “Idea” (Idee...

..., as influenced by Plato and Aristotle the development of Abrahamic religions situated humans apart from the rest of nature and under the rule of an omnipotent, transcendent God. The identity of the self at one with nature ultimately subsided and was brutally suppressed in much of the world. However, Daoism...

... and the many” problem basically rejects Plato's doctrine of creation. In particular, Forms cannot be ontological permanents; they can only have relative permanency in the evolving cosmos. Ge Hong's second major argument involves the critical reading of the World Soul. The composite Soul is designed...

...Is the world one or many? This book revisits this ancient philosophical question from the modern perspective of comparative studies. The investigation stages an intellectual exchange between Plato, founder of the Academy, and Ge Hong, who systematized Daoist belief and praxis. The book not only...