Gregory Shaw: Is Platonism the Answer to our existential crisis? | A Becoming Human Conversation

Gregory Shaw: Is Platonism the Answer to our existential crisis? | A Becoming Human Conversation

From Becoming Human by Samuel Loncar, Ph.D.

February 2, 2026 · 1h 9m

About this episode

The episode explores the insights of Dr. Gregory Shaw on Platonism and its relevance to contemporary existential questions.

Do we have to choose between mind and matter, or are they somehow one? We live today in a battle between two rival streams of ancient wisdom, one that demonized matter as evil and one that divinized it. The great Syrian Neoplatonist, Iamblichus, was the descendant of priest-kings, and wrote one of the most difficult and important texts of late antique philosophy: On the Mysteries. This conversation with Dr. Gregory Shaw, one of the world's leading experts on the Neoplatonism of Iamblichus, provides powerful insights into non-dualist Platonism and how ancient philosophy helps us bring scientific rigor to the spiritual life, uncovering the deep relevance of the ancient practice known as theurgy, divine work. Gregory Shaw, PhD is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Stonehill College, Massachusetts and the author of Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus and Hellenic Tantra: The Theurgic Platonism of Iamblichus.

People in this episode

Host: Samuel Loncar

Guest: Gregory Shaw

Topics covered

  • Platonism
  • existential crisis
  • non-dualism
  • theurgy
  • ancient philosophy
  • mind and matter

Keywords

  • Platonism
  • existential crisis
  • Iamblichus
  • theurgy
  • Neoplatonism
  • mind and matter
  • ancient wisdom

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stonehill College

Books & works: On the Mysteries, Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus, Hellenic Tantra: The Theurgic Platonism of Iamblichus

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