Plotinus: An Introduction to the Enneads / Edition 1

by Dominic J. O'Meara

Overview

This book is addressed to readers new to the Enneads. One of the greatest of ancient philosophers, Plotinus is attracting ever-increasing attention from those interested in ancient philosophy, late Antiquity, and the importance of this period for the Western intellectual tradition. O'Meara presents a brief outline of Plotinus's life, and of the composition of the Enneads, placing Plotinus within the intellectual context of the philosophical schools and religious movements of his time. He then discusses selected Plotinian texts in relation to a number of central philosophical issues to show how Plotinus's thinking on these issues evolved, and to assess the historical importance of his philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198751472
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/27/1995
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	154
Product dimensions:	8.43(w) x 5.43(h) x 0.54(d)
Lexile:	1370L (what's this?)

About the Author

University of Fribourg

Table of Contents

Introduction: Plotonius' life and Works1. Soul and Body2. The Relation Between Sensible and Intelligable Reality3. Soul, Intellect and the Forms4. Intellect and the One5. Speaking on the One6. The Derivation of all Things From the One (I)7. The Derivation of all Things from the One (II)8. Evil9. Beauty10. The Return of the Soul: Philosophy and MysticismEpilogue: Plotonious in Western ThoughtGuide to Further ReadingBibliographyIndex of Terms and ThemesIndex of Texts

Editorial Reviews

"[The book] succeeds by awakening the beginner's interest in his subject and reminding the specialist why it is so fascinating....I recommend this book without qualification to anyone interested in Plotinus: it will serve as an invaluable companion to scholars and students alike."—Review of Metaphysics

"A very good introduction to Plotinus....Recommended for all academic libraries, both undergraduate and graduate level."—Choice

"O'Meara shows succinctly that Plotinus' definition of the intellect as a ‘one-many', a plurality in unity, marks an advance on Aristotle's thesis that the highest intellect...is a self-reflective thought."—Journal of Hellenistic Studies

"[A] well-crafted, highly readable book."—Ancient Philosophy

"O'Meara's explanations are unfailingly clear and penetrating, and his choice of treatises is astute."—Southern Humanities Review

From the Publisher