Evil is not a separate entity but a lack of goodness.
Philosophy helps us understand our true nature and find unity with higher realms of existence.
Deep dives
Plotinus' Response to the Existence of Evil
Plotinus argues that evil does not actually exist, but rather, it is an absence of goodness. He believes that everything in the world possesses a certain amount of unity, and the more unity something has, the more real it is. According to Plotinus, evil or bad things are not a separate entity, but rather a result of a lack of goodness. He illustrates this idea by emphasizing that bad qualities or acts can only exist in relation to some inherent good. Therefore, evil is just an absence of good.
Plotinus' Hierarchy of Being
Plotinus presents a hierarchical system called the Chain of Being, which consists of three tiers: the One, the Intellect, and the Soul. The One represents the highest form of unity and perfection, beyond description or naming. The Intellect is the realm of true existence, where the perfect forms of everything exist. The Soul, located in the lowest tier, creates and organizes the physical world we inhabit. Plotinus emphasizes that our true existence lies in the Intellect, as the physical world is merely a distorted reflection of the perfect forms.
The Purpose of Philosophy for Plotinus
For Plotinus, the goal of philosophy is to turn away from our bodily existence and contemplate the forms in the Intellect. By doing so, we can understand our true nature and overcome the suffering of the physical world. Plotinus sees philosophy as a means to achieve relief from the fear of death and irreversibility, and to find unity with the higher realm of existence. He urges humans to recognize that their essential selves are intellects, and to seek understanding and connection with the forms.
Adversity and Intellectual Paradigm Shifts
Reflecting on the transformative power of adversity in our lives, Plotinus highlights how personal experiences of tragedy and challenges can lead to intellectual paradigm shifts. Such shifts can reshape our perspectives, priorities, and convictions. Plotinus emphasizes that growth and development often arise from the difficulties we face in life, and these moments of adversity influence who we are and how we perceive the world.
On this episode of the podcast, we learn about Plotinus, a Neo-Platonist philosopher who lived in Rome during "the crisis of the third century.” We discuss the difference between religion and philosophy and question whether or not JK Rowling stole parts of Harry Potter’s backstory from Plotinus’ life. We also learn about Plotinus’ Hierarchy of Being and use the phrase “Polaroid picture” more times than Outkast does in their hit song “Hey Ya!”. All this and more on the latest episode of Philosophize This!
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