Life
Plotinus (c. 204/5–270) studied in Alexandria and taught in Rome. His student Porphyry edited his treatises into the six Enneads. Plotinus describes reality as emanating from the One through Intellect (Nous) and Soul, and the philosophical life as a return by contemplation. Later Neoplatonists (Iamblichus, Proclus) added ritual theurgy; Christian and Islamic thinkers absorbed much of the metaphysical scheme. He is a backbone figure for Western mystical philosophy.
The system
- The One beyond being; Intellect and Soul as hypostases.
- Contemplative return (epistrophē) rather than laboratory magic.
- Bridge to later theurgy, Christian mysticism and Renaissance Platonism.
Key works
- The Enneads (ed. Porphyry) Amazon · Penguin abridged Amazon · Loeb Ennead I
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Where to start
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Plotinus
- A modern Enneads translation (e.g. Armstrong Loeb or complete modern editions)
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