Plotinus On Number
by Svetla Slaveva-Griffin /
2009 / English / PDF
2.5 MB Download
Ancient Greek Philosophy routinely relied upon concepts of number
to explain the tangible order of the universe. Plotinus'
contribution to this tradition, however, has been often omitted, if
not ignored. The main reason for this, at first glance, is the
Plotinus does not treat the subject of number in the
Ancient Greek Philosophy routinely relied upon concepts of number
to explain the tangible order of the universe. Plotinus'
contribution to this tradition, however, has been often omitted, if
not ignored. The main reason for this, at first glance, is the
Plotinus does not treat the subject of number in theEnneads
Enneads as pervasively as the Neopythagoreans or even his
own successors Lamblichus, Syrianus, and Proclus. Nevertheless, a
close examination of the
as pervasively as the Neopythagoreans or even his
own successors Lamblichus, Syrianus, and Proclus. Nevertheless, a
close examination of theEnneads
Enneads reveals that Plotinus
systematically discusses number in relation to each of his
underlying principles of existence--the One, Intellect, and Soul.
reveals that Plotinus
systematically discusses number in relation to each of his
underlying principles of existence--the One, Intellect, and Soul.Plotinus on Number
Plotinus on Number offers the first comprehensive analysis
of Plotinus' concept of number, beginning with its origins in Plato
and the Neopythagoreans and ending with its influence on Porphyry's
arrangement of the
offers the first comprehensive analysis
of Plotinus' concept of number, beginning with its origins in Plato
and the Neopythagoreans and ending with its influence on Porphyry's
arrangement of theEnneads
Enneads. It's main argument is that
Plotinus adapts Plato's and the Neopythagoreans' cosmology to place
number in the foundation of the intelligible realm and in the
construction of the universe. Through Plotinus' defense of Plato's
Ideal Numbers from Aristotle's criticism, Svetla Slaveva-Griffin
reveals the founder of Neoplatonism as the first post-Platonic
philosopher who purposefully and systematically develops what we
may call a theory of number, distinguishing between number in the
intelligible realm and number in the quantitative, mathematical
realm. Finally, the book draws attention to Plotinus' concept as a
necesscary and fundamental linke between Platonic and late
Neoplatonic schools of philosophy.
. It's main argument is that
Plotinus adapts Plato's and the Neopythagoreans' cosmology to place
number in the foundation of the intelligible realm and in the
construction of the universe. Through Plotinus' defense of Plato's
Ideal Numbers from Aristotle's criticism, Svetla Slaveva-Griffin
reveals the founder of Neoplatonism as the first post-Platonic
philosopher who purposefully and systematically develops what we
may call a theory of number, distinguishing between number in the
intelligible realm and number in the quantitative, mathematical
realm. Finally, the book draws attention to Plotinus' concept as a
necesscary and fundamental linke between Platonic and late
Neoplatonic schools of philosophy.