Bahya Ibn Paquda - Neoplatonism

Neoplatonism

Though he quotes Saadia Gaon's works frequently, he belongs not to the rationalistic school of the Mu'tazili that Saadia followed but, like his somewhat younger contemporary Solomon ibn Gabirol (1021–1070), is an adherent of Neoplatonic mysticism. He often followed the method of the anonymously-authored "Encyclopedia of the 'Brethren of Purity'" (Arabic: رسائل أخوان الصفا و خلان الوفا‎ Risā'ilu ikhwāni ṣ-Ṣafā'a).

Inclined to contemplative mysticism and asceticism, Bahya eliminated from his system every element that he felt might obscure monotheism, or might interfere with Jewish law. He wanted to present a religious system at once lofty and pure and in full accord with reason.