Dissertation committee:
Γ. Αραμπατζής, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Φιλοσοφία, ΕΚΠΑ
Κ. Ιεροδιακόνου, Καθηγήτρια, Ι.Φ.Ε, ΕΚΠΑ,
Γ. Χ. Στείρης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Φιλοσοφία, ΕΚΠΑ
Ι.Καλογεράκος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Φιλοσοφία, ΕΚΠΑ
Ε.Πρωτοπαπαδάκης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Φιλοσοφία, ΕΚΠΑ
Η.Τεμπέλης, Καθηγητής, Φιλοσοφία, Σχολή Ναυτικών Δοκίμων
Γ.Ν.Βλαχάκης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ι.Φ.Ε, ΕΑΠ
Summary:
This dissertation deals with the demonological beliefs of Michael Psellos (1017- 1090). Ηe was a man of great knowledge and understanding of Ancient philosophy who examined cosmology, combining his knowledge with Christian beliefs. At the same time intellectuals of this era perceived science under the Prism of Ancient philosophy and Neoplatonism deeply affected the way they examined Theology. Psellos was greatly influenced by Plato and Neoplatonism but in his analysis, he rejected aspects that did not get along with Christianity. This period was characterized by the fierce presence of Cristian faith and the Church was determined to be the center of social and spiritual life. He was also proficient in numerous ancient religions, mysticism and alchemy. As a Byzantine scholar he left a huge legacy and his work influenced European writers of the Renaissance. A great amount of ancient Greek texts was rescued thanks to his work. The philosophical treatise De Operatione Daemonum in its authentic form is based on a Parisian edition and the De Daemonibus the attached commentary was published by the editor G. Gaulmin Gautier and the Latin text was by Pierre Morel (1577). The ascription to Psellos has been challenged by modern scholars but the treatise remains an important handling of demonological thought in the Eastern Byzantine Empire. The current thesis is an attempt to present the life and work of Michael Psellos and the influences of Neoplatonism in his thought. In order to better understand his writing, Neoplatonic philosophy and its echoes are also analyzed. Ancient religions and their description, along with their presentation of demons, are also cited. Michael Psellos views regarding God, Creation and Virtue are also examined; demonstrating the merge he attempted between ancient philosophy and Christianity.
Keywords:
Michael Psellos, De Daemonibus, Chaldean and Neoplatonism demonological beliefs, Christianity, Reanaissance.
