Kreeft proposes that there is an unbroken chain of thinkers—a "tradition"—who saw reality not as purely material but as a reflection of higher, eternal Forms or Ideas. This tradition begins with Plato, flows through Plotinus (Neoplatonism), is baptized by St. Augustine, systematized by Pseudo-Dionysius, harmonized by Boethius, and reaches its theological zenith in St. Thomas Aquinas and the Scholastics.
As Kreeft himself says, quoting Plato: "We must fly away from earth to heaven as fast as we can. And to fly is to become like God." the platonic tradition peter kreeft pdf
| | Focus | Style | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Socrates Meets Jesus | Apologetics & Dialogue | Fictional satire | | Handbook of Christian Apologetics | Logic & Evidence | Systematic reference | | The Platonic Tradition | History of Philosophy | Narrative & Interpretive | Kreeft proposes that there is an unbroken chain
This article explores the book's content, its significance in the history of ideas, and how to engage with the Platonic tradition that Kreeft so masterfully defends. Before examining the text, it is crucial to understand the author. Peter Kreeft is a professor of philosophy at Boston College and one of the most prolific Catholic apologists and philosophers of the last 50 years. Known for his Socratic dialogues, logical clarity, and wit, Kreeft has a unique ability to translate dense philosophical concepts into accessible prose. Thomas Aquinas and the Scholastics