From May 14-18, 2024, the Center for the Study of World Religions (CSWR) at Harvard Divinity School hosted an exclusive conference titled “Platonism as a Living Tradition.” This invite-only event brought together distinguished scholars and practitioners from around the globe to explore the enduring and dynamic influence of Platonism in contemporary thought and practice.
The conference opened on May 14 with a warm reception, setting a convivial tone for the days ahead. On the morning of May 15, the formal proceedings began with opening remarks from Charles M. Stang, Director of CSWR, and Gregory Shaw of Stonehill College. Their introductions emphasized the significance of engaging with Platonism not merely as an academic discipline but as a vibrant, living tradition that continues to shape philosophical and spiritual landscapes. Stang remarked, “I hoped it would be somewhere between an invitation and a provocation.” Greg Shaw, highlighting the transformative power of Platonic texts, noted that, “Platonic writings have transformed our scholarship into something inescapably existential. Rather than repressing this, we’ve embraced it as a way of enriching our scholarly work. This is what makes Platonism a living tradition.”
On May 17, the conference included diverse presentations that explored how Platonism influences the lives, careers, and projects of participating scholars. Anna Corrias’ presentation, “The Plotinian Soul: Recovering the Missing Puzzle Pieces,” offered a refreshing and insightful perspective on the concept of the soul. She critiqued the modern inclination to explain psychic life solely through “consciousness” or “mind,” arguing that this approach neglects the deeper, non-cognitive realm that Plotinus referred to as φύσις. Corrias suggested that by embracing this mysterious aspect of psychic life, we can gain a fuller understanding of our humanity. She posited that “physiological activities are acts of the soul, not of the body,” and emphasized the unity of soul and body rather than their separation. Encouraging a view of the soul that includes both conscious and unconscious dimensions, Corrias remarked that “the soul is many things and all things, both the things above and the things below, down to the limits of all life.” This perspective, she proposed, could offer novel insights into internal conflicts like gender dysphoria and autoimmune diseases and help us reconnect with nature.
Dylan Burns from the University of Amsterdam captivated the audience with his talk, “Life with Valentinus and Proclus, or On Happiness.” Burns began by acknowledging his focus on Gnosticism, highlighting its historical linkages with Neoplatonism, especially through the Nag Hammadi Library, a collection of early Christian and Gnostic texts discovered in 1945 near the Upper Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi, which are “replete with the language of Neoplatonism.” Burns’ reflections on the tensions between traditional Platonism and modern countercultural movements resonated deeply with the conference’s theme of the enduring vitality and contemporaneity of Platonism.
Next, Stephen Gersh from the University of Notre Dame offered a unique perspective with his presentation, “Neoplatonism in Atonal Musical Theory and Practice during the Late Twentieth Century: Karlheinz Stockhausen and Stephen Gersh.” Gersh explored the interplay between Neoplatonic philosophy and avant-garde music theory, emphasizing how Neoplatonic ideas influenced his and Stockhausen’s compositions. He remarked, “It was a great pleasure to be able to come and talk about Neoplatonism and music theory, especially about atonal music theory, which, of course, is not only an important event in late twentieth-century music, but something that still has contemporary relevance.” Gersh’s discussion was enriched by musical illustrations, culminating in the performance of his orchestral composition “Control” (1971), showcasing an enlivening relationship between theory and practice.
The CSWR conference was more than a series of academic presentations; it was a gathering that fostered genuine camaraderie and intellectual exchange. The intimate setting at the CSWR, set apart from more conventional academic conference environments, afforded attendees a supportive environment for expansive academic discussions, reflections, and camaraderie.
This sentiment was echoed by many attendees, who appreciated the unique opportunity to engage with peers in a supportive and inspiring environment. The collegiality of the conference setting, combined with the high caliber of presentations, created a space where scholars could explore Platonism’s rich legacy and its contemporary applications removed from the pressures of academic competition.
Charles Stang’s opening remarks encapsulated the spirit of the conference: “What Greg and I have tried to do with these invitations is stage productive disagreement. We know that some of you do not agree, which is why we’re here. Some of that disagreement we anticipate, and some of that disagreement we don’t anticipate. But regardless of whether we anticipate it or not, we hope that it is productive tension, and we want to encourage you to lean into it.” Shaw echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the diversity and innovation inherent in the Platonic tradition. Paraphrasing a circa 1983 conversation between himself and Henri Saffrey, the Parisian Neoplatonist Doctor of Philosophy, Shaw spoke to the inherent variety of thought within Neoplatonism, “a tradition with many voices and many expressions” and remarked that “I think that’s exactly what we’re talking about with the innovation that each significant Platonic thinker brought.”
In an interview conducted after the event, Shaw reflected on the unique selection of participants, noting that “top Platonic scholars in the world were selected not only because of their scholarly expertise but because of their existential engagement with the Platonic texts they have written about. We invited them to ‘take a risk’ and to say things they might not say at other academic conferences. I am delighted to say that they DID take that risk and it made the conference successful.” Shaw also expressed his appreciation for the speakers’ approach to stepping “out of their protected enclaves and to bring the LIFE of the texts they work on to come alive with others. I have never experienced an academic conference that was so real, so intellectually and existentially riveting.” One of the most powerful moments for Shaw was when Jose Manuel Redondo Ornelas shared his practice as a Santeria shaman and priest, explaining the initiations and possessions he oversees as a teacher and guide. “He revealed existentially the practices of theurgical Platonists that are accessible to us only in texts,” Shaw said. “For Jose, they are experiences, and he revealed how possessions are received and experienced in ritual practices.” Regarding his 40-year exploration of the Platonic tradition, Shaw observed that “it is fair to say that the way I see and feel the world is Platonic. I am the living tradition. It lives in me. It is just a fact, nothing to get excited about. The reality is that I feel grateful to have been introduced to such a beautiful vision of existence, and I have been blessed to be able to share it with others who are similarly inclined.”
The 2024 CSWR conference on “Platonism as a Living Tradition” was a profound testament to Platonic philosophy’s enduring vitality. Through a diverse array of presentations, the conference illuminated how ancient ideas continue to resonate and evolve in modern contexts. Each conference speaker highlighted the dynamic interplay between personal experience, philosophical inquiry, and artistic expression. The scholarly gathering not only celebrated the rich legacy of Platonism but also charted new paths for its future exploration, reaffirming the timeless relevance of Platonic thought in our quest for knowledge, beauty, and understanding in an ever-changing world. In the words of Charles Stang, “What Platonism needs to be a living tradition is to produce once again Platonic theology. Can we become Platonic theologians once again? I hope so. I think the world needs it.”
-Story by Tristan Angieri, MDiv '26
