Plotinus, or, The Simplicity of Vision

Plotinus, or, The Simplicity of Vision

"The Roman philosopher Plotinus (c. 205-70) is perhaps best known today for his doctrine of self-transformation through contemplation: "Never stop sculpting your own statue, until the godlike splendor of virtue shines forth to you." Since its publication in France in 1963 and through subsequent editions both there and abroad, Pierre Hadot's lively philosophical portrait of Plotinus has established itself as the preeminent introduction to the man and his thought. Michael Chase's lucid translation - complete with a useful chronology and analytical bibliography - at last makes this book available to the English-speaking world." "Hadot carefully examines Plotinus' views on the self, existence, love, virtue, gentleness, and solitude. He shows that Plotinus, like other philosophers of his day, believed that Plato and Aristotle had already articulated the essential truths; for him, the purpose of practicing philosophy was not to profess new truths but to engage in spiritual exercises so as to live philosophically. Seen in this light, Plotinus' counsel against fixation on the body and all earthly matters stemmed not from disgust or fear, but rather from his awareness of the negative effect that bodily preoccupation and material concern could have on spiritual exercises." "Arnold I. Davidson's helpful Introduction sets this book against the background of Plotinus scholarship, discusses Plotinus' understanding of mystical experience and the self, and emphasizes Plotinus' continuing philosophical significance."

Pierre Hadot

Chicago : University of Chicago Press

translated by Michael Chase ; with an introduction by Arnold I. Davidson

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