Rodin's 'The Thinker' – that iconic bronze man, brow furrowed, lost in contemplation. But what would Simplicius, the 6th-century Neoplatonist philosopher, make of him? Would he see a reflection of true intellectual pursuit, or merely a symbol of human struggle?
Simplicius, concerned with aligning the self with the divine Intellect, might find the Thinker's isolation problematic. True thinking, for Simplicius, wasn't solitary navel-gazing but a process of connecting with universal truths. The Thinker, slumped and internal, may seem detached from that grander reality.
However, Simplicius might also appreciate the raw honesty of Rodin's depiction. The Thinker isn't portrayed as enlightened; he's wrestling with ideas, grappling with the complexities of existence. Perhaps Simplicius would see in him a starting point – a flawed but genuine attempt to engage with the fundamental questions of being. Ultimately, the enduring power of 'The Thinker' lies in its invitation to each of us to join the conversation, a conversation that transcends centuries and philosophical schools.
