"Middle Platonism is the modern name given to a stage in the development of Plato's philosophy, lasting from about 90 BC \u2013 when Antiochus of Ascalon rejected the scepticism of the New Academy \u2013 until the development of Neoplatonism under Plotinus in the 3rd century. Middle Platonism absorbed many doctrines from the rival Peripatetic and Stoic schools. The pre-eminent philosopher in this period, Plutarch (c. 45-120), defended the freedom of the will and the immortality of the soul."@en .