Dexippus was a Neoplatonist philosopher active in the 4th century CE. He was a student of Iamblichus, a leading thinker who shaped the later development of Neoplatonic thought. Beyond this connection, almost no details of his personal life or origins are known.
His sole surviving work is a commentary titled On Aristotle's Categories. Written as a dialogue, this text is a key source for understanding how Neoplatonists of this period interpreted Aristotelian logic. According to modern scholars, the commentary shows how later philosophers sought to harmonize Aristotle's system of logic with the overarching principles of Platonic metaphysics. His work also provides insight into the philosophical debates and teaching methods of the Athenian Neoplatonic school following Iamblichus.
Dexippus is historically important primarily for this single treatise. It preserves a snapshot of a specific moment in the history of philosophy, illustrating how ancient scholars engaged with and adapted the foundational texts of their tradition.
Available Works
Sources
- Stanford Encyclopedia Entry (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Accessed: 2026-01-26
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia Entry (Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics) Accessed: 2026-01-26