Introduction

Summary

The goal of Plotinus’ philosophy is not a conceptual and discursive description of reality, but the return of the fallen soul to the intelligible world and then to the Good. Because of that he emphasizes not only the practical dimension of philosophy, but also the importance of the individual philosopher who is undertaking the spiritual journey. The thesis of the book is presented: Plotinus’ metaphysics is a balanced combination of two co-existing perspectives: the third-person perspective (an objective,conceptual, scientific account of reality) and the first-person perspective (a subjective, intuitive,contemplative experience of it). This is grounded in the literature (Schwyzer, Hadot, Rappe, Clark,Banner), but this volume goes far beyond the claim that contemplation and spiritual exercises are a significant element of Plotinus’ philosophy. They constitute an entire, key dimension of it.