Department Colloquium: Wiebke-Marie Stock (Notre Dame) "A daemon within? Plotinus and Iamblichus on our allotted guardian spirit"

Title: A daemon within? Plotinus and Iamblichus on our allotted guardian spirit

Abstract: My thesis is that the notion of the allotted guardian spirit is used to explain actions, thoughts or feelings that stem from an unconscious part of the mind. Ancient philosophers attribute to an external force those thoughts or impulses that could not be located in the conscious mind. This is of course not a problem of location but an inquiry into the autonomy and functioning of the mind. The notion of the daimôn is used to discuss psychological questions of cognitive activity either “below” or “above” the level of consciousness. This philosophical practice raises the questions of, on the one hand, the unity of the mind – in what sense do these levels belong to “us” as conscious beings –, and, on the other hand, of the ethical subject – in what sense are “we” – or which part of “us” is – responsible for our actions, thoughts and feelings.

My lecture will focus on two important neoplatonic philosophers whose theories of the daimôn differ considerably. Plotinus conceives of the daimôn as internal and underlines the responsibility of the soul while Iamblichus sees the daimôn as an external entity directing and guiding the soul.