Plotinus

Plotinus (AD 205-270) was the founder of Neoplatonism, whose thought has had a profound influence on medieval philosophy and on Western philosophy more broadly. In this engaging book, Eyj�lfur K. Emilsson introduces and explains the full spectrum of Plotinus' philosophy for those coming to his work for the first time.

Beginning with a chapter-length overview of Plotinus' life and works which also assesses the Platonic, Aristotelian and Stoic traditions that influenced him, Emilsson goes on to address key topics including:

• Plotinus' originality
• the status of souls
• Plotinus' language
• the notion of the One or the Good
• intellect, including Plotinus' holism
• the physical world
• the soul and the body, including emotions and the self
• Plotinus' ethics
• Plotinus' influence and legacy.

This second edition has been revised and updated throughout and includes a new chapter on badness, freedom, providence and responsibility. Also including a chronology, glossary of terms and suggestions for further reading, Plotinus is an ideal introduction to this major figure in Western philosophy and essential reading for students of ancient philosophy and classics.