The Heart of Plotinus: The Essential Enneads

by Algis Uždavinys (editor)

What can the ancient philosophy of Plotinus (204-270 A.D.) teach us today? Drawing parallels with other wisdom traditions of the East and West, Uzdavinys emphasizes that Plotinus' philosophy was not a purely mental or rational exercise, but a complete way of life incorporating the spiritual virtues. Plotinus, the renowned Egyptian sage and philosopher of the classical world, is widely regarded as the founder of the school of Neo-Platonism, which sought to revive the teachings of Plato. This book provides an extensive introduction to Plotinus' teachings and an informative commentary on the Enneads. Also included is a commentary by Plotinus' leading disciple, Porphyry (c. 233-305 A.D.) on an enigmatic passage from Homer's epic, the Odyssey.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Metaphysics

296 pages, ebook

First published April 16, 2009

About the author

Was a prolific Lithuanian philosopher and scholar.
His research included works on hellenic philosophy , especially Platonism and Neoplatonism as well
a pioneering hermeneutical comparative study of Egyptian and Greek religions, especially their esoteric relations to Semitic religions, and in particular the inner aspect of Islam

Reviews

[Beauregard Bottomley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book consist mostly of selected writings from Plotinus' Enneads with marvelous introductions and contextual analysis spread through out from the author. I would actually recommend The Oxford Companion to Plotinus over this book because the author's selections for The Enneads credits Plotinus with slightly more coherence than a reader would get by reading the complete works of Plotinus on their own or by reading a series of essays as provided in the Oxford Companion.

With that being said, this book provides the reader with a superb subset of Plotinus while at times focusing on just parts of Plotinus and as Plotinus himself will warn his students against the multiple arising from the One as it returns to the Good such that the image of the images seeks to return the individual back to their authentic self.

[B. Rule · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes wish that Plotinus could replace most people's devotional readings. As this volume makes clear, he was a true prophet of rational mysticism. His texts aren't necessarily the most analytically rigorous product of antiquity, but his religious enthusiasm for an ascending path through virtue and reason to an apophatic encounter with the One behind the Nous is a welcome tonic to the irrational exuberances of our current theological milieu.

The texts offered here are selected well and organized intelligently, and Uzdavinys' introductory essays are worth their weight in gold. I only wish he'd offered more commentary. Coupled with an excellent essay on, and text of, Porphyry's On the Cave of the Nymphs, this is a wonderful volume for anyone interested in Late Platonism. My only real complaint is that I didn't love some of the technical terms used in the translation, and would have preferred keeping the Greek (or at least including the Greek as a parenthetical).

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only a good summary of Plotinus, but also a good introduction into neoplatonic thought! The content of this book was made easily accessible for the average layperson, and is written in a gripping way. I highly recommend this book for everyone interested in philosophy,Plotinus or neoplatonism in general.

[Zachary Salmon]

Really enjoyed this, although wish I had a more solid grounding in platonic thought + metaphysics before jumping in.

A lot of this is mapping out a set of metaphysical relations, between the absolute and its various expression in the physical world. I’m not certain that I ever perfectly wrapped my head around some of the finer differences between The Good, the Intellectual Principal, all soul, soul and Nature, but enjoyed trying.

Also appreciated that the metaphysical system it outlines is indicated to be best understood through mystical experience via contemplative practice. Feels novel to me to read about that through a Platonic framework

[Cw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The translation is outdated but the original writing by Uždavinys is quite good.