Who is Plotinus in Philosophy
Plotinus was a Greek philosopher who lived in the XNUMXrd century AD. He is considered one of the main representatives of Neoplatonism, a philosophical current that had great influence in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Plotinus was born in Egypt, but spent most of his life in Rome, where he founded a school of philosophy. His most important work is known as “Enneads”, a collection of philosophical treatises that address various themes, from the nature of being to the relationship between man and the divine. In this glossary, we will explore in detail the life and thought of Plotinus, as well as his main contributions to philosophy.
The Life of Plotinus
Plotinus was born in Lycopolis, Egypt, around AD 204. Little is known about his childhood and youth, but it is known that he received a solid education in philosophy, mathematics, and rhetoric. At age 28, Plotinus moved to Rome, where he studied with Ammonius Sacas, a Neoplatonic philosopher. After the death of Ammonius, Plotinus founded his own school of philosophy, known as the “School of Rome”. He attracted many followers and became an influential figure in Roman society. Plotinus died in 270 AD, leaving behind a vast philosophical work.
Neoplatonism
Neoplatonism is a philosophical current that is based on the teachings of Plato, a Greek philosopher from the XNUMXth century BC. Plotinus was one of the main exponents of this current, which had a great influence on Western philosophy. Neoplatonism seeks to reconcile Plato's philosophy with elements of Aristotelian thought and Eastern mysticism. For Plotinus, reality is composed of three levels: the One, which is the cause of all things; Intelligence, which is the manifestation of the One; and the Soul, which is the manifestation of Intelligence in the sensitive world.
The One
The One is the supreme principle of Neoplatonism. For Plotinus, the One is the cause of all things and is beyond any concept or definition. He is the source of all existence and transcends the sentient world. The One is perfect, eternal and immutable. He cannot be known through the senses or reason, but only through mystical contemplation. Union with the One is the ultimate goal of Neoplatonic philosophy, as it is in this union that true happiness and liberation from the cycle of births and deaths are found.
The intelligence
Intelligence is the second level of reality, according to Plotinus. It is the manifestation of the One and contains the ideas or perfect forms of all things. Intelligence is eternal and immutable, and is the source of true knowledge. For Plotinus, knowledge is not acquired through the senses or reason, but rather through the contemplation of ideas in Intelligence. Intelligence is the bridge between the One and the Soul, and it is through it that the Soul becomes aware of its true nature.
The soul
The Soul is the third level of reality, according to Plotinus. She is the manifestation of Intelligence in the sensitive world. The Soul is eternal and immortal, and is linked to the body through the senses. For Plotinus, the Soul is the divine part of the human being, which seeks to return to its origin in the One. The Soul is in constant movement, seeking to perfect and purify itself. Through philosophy and contemplation, the Soul can rise above the sentient world and achieve union with the One.
Plotinus' Ethics
Plotinus's ethics are based on the search for union with the One. For him, true happiness is not in material things or worldly achievements, but in the contemplation of the One. Through the philosophy and practice of virtue, human beings can free themselves from the bonds of the sensitive world and achieve union with the One. Plotinus' ethics is an ascetic ethics, which values the renunciation of worldly pleasures in favor of the search for truth and union with the divine.
The Influence of Plotinus
Plotinus' philosophy had a great influence on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. His teachings were studied and commented on by Christian philosophers and theologians, such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas. Neoplatonism also influenced the art, literature and music of the time. The idea that reality is made up of hierarchical levels and that union with the divine is the ultimate goal of human life is still relevant today, influencing various philosophical and religious currents.
Conclusion
In short, Plotinus was a Greek philosopher who played a fundamental role in the development of Neoplatonism. His work “Enneads” is one of the most important in Western philosophy and addresses themes such as the nature of being, the relationship between man and the divine and the search for union with the One. Plotinus' philosophy had a great influence on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and is still relevant today. His teachings continue to inspire philosophers, theologians, and artists around the world.
