
Plotinus
Description
Alles über E-Books | Antworten auf Fragen rund um E-Books, Kopierschutz und Dateiformate finden Sie in unserem Info- & Hilfebereich.
Plotinus, the Roman philosopher (c. 204-270 CE) who is widely regarded as the founder of Neoplatonism, was also the creator of numerous myths, images, and metaphors. They have influenced both secular philosophers and Christian and Muslim theologians, but have frequently been dismissed by modern scholars as merely ornamental. In this book, distinguished philosopher Stephen R. L. Clark shows that they form a vital set of spiritual exercises by which individuals can achieve one of Plotinus's most important goals: self-transformation through contemplation.
Clark examines a variety of Plotinus's myths and metaphors within the cultural and philosophical context of his time, asking probing questions about their contemplative effects. What is it, for example, to "think away the spatiality" of material things? What state of mind is Plotinus recommending when he speaks of love, or drunkenness, or nakedness? What star-like consciousness is intended when he declares that we were once stars or are stars eternally? What does it mean to say that the soul goes around God? And how are we supposed to "bring the god in us back to the god in all?" Through these rich images and structures, Clark casts Plotinus as a philosopher deeply concerned with philosophy as a way of life.
"Highly enjoyable... His book is the tool by which we learn to read Plotinus in a dynamic way that transforms our very selves." - Classical World
More details
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Content
- Intro
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Part I: Prolegomena
- 1. Why Read Plotinus?
- 2. How to Read Plotinus
- 3. Theories about Metaphor
- 4. Dialectic
- Part II: Metaphorically Speaking
- 5. Naked and Alone
- 6. On Becoming Love
- 7. Shadow Plays and Mirrors
- 8. Reason Drunk and Sober
- 9. Dancing
- 10. Remembering and Forgetting
- 11. Standing Up to the Blows of Fortune
- Part III: The Plotinian Imaginary
- 12. Platonic and Classical Myths
- 13. Spheres and Circles
- 14. Charms and Countercharms
- 15. Invoking Demons
- 16. Images Within and Without
- 17. Fixed Stars and Planets
- 18. Waking Up
- Part IV: Understanding the Hypostases
- 19. Matter
- 20. Nature
- 21. Soul
- 22. Nous
- 23. The One
- Part V: The Plotinian Way
- Bibliography
- Index of Passages from the Enneads
- Index of Names and Subjects
System requirements
File format: ePUB
Copy protection: Watermark-DRM (Digital Rights Management)
System requirements:
- Computer (Windows; MacOS X; Linux): Use a reading software that can process the file format ePUB: e.g., Adobe Digital Editions or FBReader – both free (see eBook Help).
- Tablet/Smartphone (Android; iOS): Before downloading, install the free app Adobe Digital Editions (see eBook Help).
- E-reader: Bookeen, Kobo, Pocketbook, Sony, Tolino and many more (not Kindle).
The file format ePUB works well for novels and non-fiction books – i.e., „flowing” text without complex layout. On an e-reader or smartphone, line and page breaks automatically adjust to fit the small displays.
This eBook uses Watermark-DRM, a „soft” copy protection. This means that there are no technical restrictions to prevent illegal distribution. However, there is a personalised watermark embedded in the eBook that can be used to identify the purchaser of the eBook in the event of misuse and to provide evidence for legal purposes.
For more information, see our eBook Help page.