Abstract

This chapter is concerned with Proclus’ understanding of the second Plotinian hypostasis, Intellect—which Proclus’ analysis distinguishes into Being, Life and Intellect proper—as well as with his reception of Plato’s ‘theory’ of Forms within his metaphysics. After a discussion of the general triadic structure of the intelligible world, the author clarifies how Proclus fits the cosmology of the Timaeus, which has been central to all later interpretations of Platonic Forms, into this structure. Next, a presentation of Proclus’ criticism of Aristotle is instrumental in introducing Proclus’ views on the causal role of Intellect and the Forms. The chapter concludes with an exposition of Proclus’ reading of the aporiai of the first part of the Parmenides, which shows how he reinterprets the Platonic ‘theory’ of Forms as it can be found in the dialogues within the conceptual framework expounded in his systematic works.