David Anjalth the Invincible

(also, David the Invincible). Born in the late fifth century; died in the first half of the sixth century. Armenian Neoplatonic philosopher and representative of the Alexandrian school of ancient philosophy.

David studied in Alexandria and Athens. His philosophy, as presented in his works The Determinations of Philosophy and Analysis of Porphyry’s “Introduction.” combine Platonism with elements of Aristotle’s and Pythagoras’ teachings. Aristotle’s influence is especially noticeable in David’s theory of knowledge. In his Determinations of Philosophy (translated into Russian from the ancient Armenian. with a foreword and commentary, by S. S. Arevsha-tian, 1960), David opposes skepticism and relativism and supports the attempt by philosophy to comprehend the world. The aim in philosophy, in his view, is to find and point out the way to avoid evil and achieve spiritual perfection. Knowledge is not an end in itself, but should serve the moral improvement of man. In his doctrine of the soul David developed Neoplatonic ideas. His logical constructions include dialectical ideas. In the context of Armenian medieval philosophy, bound up as it was with theology. David’s system introduced the secular and rationalist principle.