Non-Theurgy: Iamblichus and Laruelle

This text experiments with mysticism, theurgy, and non-philosophy by comparing Iamblichus' theurgy, Laruelle's non-philosophy, and the notion of the Vision-in-One. It argues their convergence lies in a shared allegiance to the theory of the One from Plato's Unwritten Doctrines. Both Iamblichus and Laruelle treat the One with a similar procedural gesture: the procession from the noematic to the aesthetic realm. They reject the idea that the soul's descent from the One to the visible world is a degeneration of the Nous. Laruelle's Vision-in-One, akin to theurgy, aims to think from the One rather than of the One, materializing the disembodied fate of the noema against realistic skepticism.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mysticism, theurgy, non-philosophy: this text will experiment with the three in an attempt to perform a non-philosophical hijacking of so-called theurgy (theurgia). I will experiment with a comparison between Iamblichus' theurgy, Laruelle's non-philosophy, and the notion of the Vision-in-One. I claim their point of convergence is their allegiances to the theory of the One, derived from Plato's Unwritten Doctrines. The ancient notion of the One is subject to a similar procedural gesture in both Iamblichus and Laruelle, namely, the procession of the One from the noematic to the aesthetic realm. What connects them is their rejection of the theory that the soul's descension from the One to the visible realm represents a degeneration of the Nous. In a concept akin to the very idea of theurgy, Laruelle proposes his Vision-in-One, which is to think from the One rather than the One. The Vision-in-One is an attempt to materialize the disembodied fate of the noema against realistic skepticism.