Episode
S5E17 - On the Mysteries
- Podcast
- The Two Tongues Podcast
- Published
- Oct 6, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 4070
- Processing state
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- https://twotonguespodcast.podbean.com/e/s5e17-on-the-mysteries/
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Summary
In this episode Chris explores the ideas of the ancient Greek, Neoplatonic philosopher--Iamblichus--through his correspondence with an ancient Egyptian priest. Iamblichus does something no philosopher did before him, at least not to such a degree; he questioned religious orthodoxy, expressed skepticism about the legitimacy of religious ritual and sacrifice and even of the priesthood itself. Along the way, however, he's striving to understand the nature of the divine at the deepest level. It turns out, there was no better source for answers to religious questions than the Egyptian priesthood, who benefited from the oldest and grandest religious tradition in all of the ancient world. And what did Iamblichus learn? It's not at all what you'd expect. Enjoy ;)