A Common Paradigm between Neoplatonism and Vedanta: The Theios Aner or Jivanmukta

Abstract

This paper aims to establish a new common paradigm between imperial neoplatonic philosophy and vedantic philosophy through the concepts of theios aner and jivanmukta. Succintly going over some of the different manifestations of brahmanic doctrines in 2nd and 3rd century Rome, channeled through a sincretic theocentricism, our analysis will be divided into two big blocks: (1) The description of the metaphysical background common to both terms, based upon intuitive reconciliation of the soul (henosis) and the absolute from the idea of self-knowledge and (2) The description of the moral background, based upon the exercise of a contemplative catharsis. Moreover, some difficulties are brought up concerning the soteriological position of the liberated sage and its relation to the two main currents of imperial neoplatonism.