History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 088 - Simplicity Itself - Plotinus on the One and Intellect
27 snips
Jul 8, 2012 AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Unity as Basis of Reality
- Plotinus argues unity is a fundamental quality of being and reality.
- The more unified a thing, the more truly it exists and reflects goodness and order.
The One is Beyond Intellect
- Plotinus distinguishes the One from intellect, considering the One beyond thought and knowledge.
- The One is ineffable; any description introduces multiplicity, undermining its absolute unity.
Intellect as One-Many
- Intellect contains multiple forms, reflecting a multiplicity that prevents it from being absolutely one.
- Plotinus calls intellect a "one-many," unified but not the ultimate first principle.