Author
Plotinus
204-270
Plotinus (204-270) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaBooks by Plotinus
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3 In Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods
"Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3" by Plotinus is a philosophical text edited around AD 270. This volume contains the Sixth Ennead, the final section of Plotinus's collected writings on Neoplatonism. Compiled by his student Porphyry into fifty-four treatises organized in groups of nine, the work explores profound questions about reality, consciousness, and existence. The sixth section addresses being itself and what transcends it—the One, the ultimate principle underlying all reality. These writings profoundly influenced Western and Near-Eastern philosophical and religious thought through centuries of thinkers.
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 1 In Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods
"Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 1" by Plotinus is a philosophical collection written in the early 20th century. The work compiles the teachings of the influential Neoplatonist philosopher Plotinus, along with biographies and commentaries from his contemporaries, including Porphyry. The content primarily explores metaphysical concepts, such as the nature of existence, beauty, and the divine, aiming to provide insights into the origins of philosophy. At the start of the volume, the author introduces the complex life and philosophical journey of Plotinus, emphasizing his commitment to oral teaching before later documenting his thoughts. Plotinus is depicted as a man devoted to understanding the divine, often contrasting his disdain for the physical form with his pursuit of intellectual truth. Biographical accounts present a portrait of Plotinus as a philosopher who engaged with students and contemporaries, laying the groundwork for a system of thought that influences both metaphysics and ethical discussions in philosophy. As the narrative progresses, it highlights Plotinus's ascetic lifestyle and intellectual pursuits, foreshadowing the detailed explorations of his ideas that will follow in the subsequent chapters.
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 2 In Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods
"Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 2" by Plotinus is a collection of philosophical treatises compiled around AD 270. This volume contains the Fourth and Fifth Enneads, exploring profound questions about the soul, perception, memory, and the nature of ultimate reality. Through Porphyry's careful arrangement, these writings guide readers from investigations of human consciousness and embodiment toward contemplation of the highest principles of existence. As foundational texts of Neoplatonism, they profoundly shaped Western and Near-Eastern philosophical and theological traditions for centuries.
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 4 In Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods
"Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 4" by Plotinus is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. This volume forms part of a comprehensive collection of Plotinus’ works, focusing particularly on his profound insights into metaphysics, ethics, and the nature of happiness and existence. The texts aim to explore complex ideas, such as whether animals and plants can be regarded as happy, situating them within a framework of various philosophical schools like Aristotelianism and Stoicism. The opening of this volume engages readers with a rigorous examination of the concept of happiness. Plotinus raises questions about the nature of happiness and whether it can be assigned to non-human life forms, including animals and plants, arguing for a broader understanding of happiness that transcends mere sensation or rationality. He contrasts the lives of different creatures, asserting that true happiness is rooted in a complete realization of one’s nature, suggesting that happiness derives not just from fulfilling basic instincts or pleasures, but from a deeper alignment with the essence of being. This philosophical inquiry sets the stage for an exploration of the relationship between happiness, the good, and the essential qualities that define existence.
An Essay on the Beautiful, from the Greek of Plotinus
"An Essay on the Beautiful, from the Greek of Plotinus" by Plotinus is a philosophical treatise likely written in the late 3rd century AD, focusing on beauty's nature and its connection to the divine and the soul. This book attempts to explore and define beauty, delving deeply into metaphysical concepts aligned with Platonic philosophy. It examines how beauty manifests in both the physical world and the higher realms of intellect and virtue. The essay argues that beauty exists on different levels, from physical beauty perceived by the senses to a transcendent beauty that the intellect can comprehend. Plotinus asserts that true beauty is linked to the divine source of all good and that the soul, through its purity and virtues, can ascend toward this ultimate beauty. The text contrasts superficial perceptions of beauty with deeper philosophical insights and emphasizes the importance of inner reflection and purification to recognize true beauty. It advocates a return to the essence of beauty within oneself, suggesting that the pursuit of loveliness should lead one toward the divine rather than material forms. This approach to beauty, as combined with the philosophical inquiry into its nature, illustrates Plotinus's view that beauty is a pathway to understanding the eternal truths of existence.