Neo-platonism

Inspired by the thought of Plato, this system was first fully developed by Plotinus (c. 205-270) and Porphyry (c. 232-c. 303). These philosophers taught that individuals can apprehend the ultimate reality behind all appearances and history by abstracting themselves from the physical and historical in order to contemplate this one ultimately spiritual reality. In consequence of this, consistent neo-platonists objected to the incarnation as an impossibility. Neo-platonic idealism nevertheless influenced many Christian theologians, among them Augustine of Hippo whose views on spirit and matter reflect neo-platonic influence.