Plotinus (Greek: Πλωτίνος)(ca. 205–270), the ancient philosopher, is widely considered the father of Neoplatonism. Much of our biographical information about Plotinus comes from Porphyry's preface to his edition of Plotinus' Enneads. His metaphysical writings have inspired centuries of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Gnostic metaphysicians and mystics.

Biography

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Porphyry believed Plotinus was sixty-six years old when he died in 270, the second year of the reign of the emperor Claudius II, thus giving us the year of his teacher's birth as around 205. Plotinus had an inherent distrust of materiality (an attitude common to Platonism), holding to the view that phenomena and forms were a poor image or mimicry (mimesis) of something "higher and intelligible" ^* which was the "truer part of genuine Being". This distrust extended to the body, including his own; it is reported by Porphyry that at one point he refused to have his portrait painted, presumably for much the same reasons of dislike. Likewise Plotinus never discussed his ancestry, childhood, or his place or date of birth. Eunapius however reports that he was born in the Deltaic Lycopolis (Latin: Lyco) in Egypt, as he may have been a Hellenized Egyptian. From all accounts his personal and social life exhibited the highest moral and spiritual standards.

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Never did Eye see the Sun unless it had become Sunlike, and never can soul see Beauty unless itself be beautiful. (Plotinus)
meramun (Mer Amun) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:15:10 -0000
Never did Eye see the Sun unless it had become Sunlike, and never can soul see Beauty unless itself be beautiful. (Plotinus)
All music, based upon melody and rhythm, is the earthly representative of heavenly music. Plotinus http://planetarytypes.com.au/
tonycart (Tony Cartledge) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:29:05 -0000
All music, based upon melody and rhythm, is the earthly representative of heavenly music. Plotinus http://planetarytypes.com.au/
"When one becomes "someone" out of not-being, one is no longer the All" Plotinus
ColinLewis (Colin Lewis) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:33:42 -0000
"When one becomes "someone" out of not-being, one is no longer the All" Plotinus
Plotinus A. Njualem (amigosplotos) 's status on Monday, 14-Dec-09 ...: Plotinus A. Njualem amigosplotos. &q.. http://bit.ly/8Xbbcl
JessicaStewart9 (Jessic Stewart) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:56:09 -0000
Plotinus A. Njualem (amigosplotos) 's status on Monday, 14-Dec-09 ...: Plotinus A. Njualem amigosplotos. &q.. http://bit.ly/8Xbbcl
Mission: edit 537 pages of ancient Greek philosophy scholarship in 4-5 days. Plotinus <3 Plato. Started drinkin coffee again. Wish me luck!
jennocide (Jenn O. Cide) Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:52:08 -0000
Mission: edit 537 pages of ancient Greek philosophy scholarship in 4-5 days. Plotinus <3 Plato. Started drinkin coffee again. Wish me luck!
All music, based upon melody and rhythm, is the earthly representative of heavenly music. Plotinus http://planetarytypes.com.au/
tonycart (Tony Cartledge) Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:35:39 -0000
All music, based upon melody and rhythm, is the earthly representative of heavenly music. Plotinus http://planetarytypes.com.au/

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