Virtues in Plotinus: The Theory of Purification and Assimilation (to God) in the Enneads (I,2,19)

Cahid Şenel

Article Details

Virtues in Plotinus: The Theory of Purification and Assimilation (to God) in the Enneads (I,2,19)

Authors:

Cahid Şenel

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Felsefe Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Felsefe Arkivi Issue 59, pp.1-10

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001312805

pISSN:

0378-2816

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study aims to reveal Plotinus thoughts on morality, virtues and justice by focusing on the Enneads, the founding text of Neoplatonism. In order to achieve this, while chapters I, 2, 19 of the Enneads will be discussed in full detail, Üsûlûcyâ Theology of Aristotle, the version of the work that was transferred to the Islamic world, will be referenced from time to time. Of course, the literature developing around this subject in the modern and contemporary period will not be ignored. It will be argued that Plotinus vision of virtue evolved to a different place than Plato and Aristotle, that the understanding of morality and the system of virtues before Plotinus were positioned in a more realistic place, and that his view turned into a semi-mystical philosophical moral vision shaped around the ideal of assimilation to God. In addition, it will be concluded that although the virtues are used synonymously with wisdom, bravery, justice in the higher and lower worlds, the Spirit is identical with the virtues in the realm of divine Intelligence, and in the realm of sense, the soul, which is together with the body, should try to resemble God by acquiring the virtues through purification. Consequently, Plotinus being the owner of almost one of the two main metaphysical doctrines in the period from Plato to Descartes and his position in the view of Platonism, with its fundamental differences against Aristotelianism in terms of its power of influence, has created a transformation not only in metaphysical doctrine but also in the basis and understanding of moral philosophy. This individual-centered understanding, without denying the contribution of political virtues at the initial level of moral transformation, but aiming to attain the ideal of purification by turning to oneself and leaving behind the physical forms of perception of the soul and all boundaries, especially language, presented a human concept that differentiated itself from the previous perspectives and pioneered many of the subsequent philosophical, religious and mystical school. Considering the whole of Plotinus philosophy, it has been suggested that this turning inward does not mean ignoring the external world, that having virtue according to the determined standards in the external world is deemed insufficient, therefore, after this stage, it is argued that it is necessary to purify by turning inward.

 This study aims to reveal Plotinus thoughts on morality, virtues and justice by focusing on the Enneads, the founding text of Neoplatonism. In order to achieve this, while chapters I, 2, 19 of the Enneads will be discussed in full detail, Üsûlûcyâ Theology of Aristotle, the version of the work that was transferred to the Islamic world, will be referenced from time to time. Of course, the literature developing around this subject in the modern and contemporary period will not be ignored. It will be argued that Plotinus vision of virtue evolved to a different place than Plato and Aristotle, that the understanding of morality and the system of virtues before Plotinus were positioned in a more realistic place, and that his view turned into a semi-mystical philosophical moral vision shaped around the ideal of assimilation to God. In addition, it will be concluded that although the virtues are used synonymously with wisdom, bravery, justice in the higher and lower worlds, the Spirit is identical with the virtues in the realm of divine Intelligence, and in the realm of sense, the soul, which is together with the body, should try to resemble God by acquiring the virtues through purification. Consequently, Plotinus being the owner of almost one of the two main metaphysical doctrines in the period from Plato to Descartes and his position in the view of Platonism, with its fundamental differences against Aristotelianism in terms of its power of influence, has created a transformation not only in metaphysical doctrine but also in the basis and understanding of moral philosophy. This individual-centered understanding, without denying the contribution of political virtues at the initial level of moral transformation, but aiming to attain the ideal of purification by turning to oneself and leaving behind the physical forms of perception of the soul and all boundaries, especially language, presented a human concept that differentiated itself from the previous perspectives and pioneered many of the subsequent philosophical, religious and mystical school. Considering the whole of Plotinus philosophy, it has been suggested that this turning inward does not mean ignoring the external world, that having virtue according to the determined standards in the external world is deemed insufficient, therefore, after this stage, it is argued that it is necessary to purify by turning inward.

 This study aims to reveal Plotinus thoughts on morality, virtues and justice by focusing on the Enneads, the founding text of Neoplatonism. In order to achieve this, while chapters I, 2, 19 of the Enneads will be discussed in full detail, Üsûlûcyâ Theology of Aristotle, the version of the work that was transferred to the Islamic world, will be referenced from time to time. Of course, the literature developing around this subject in the modern and contemporary period will not be ignored. It will be argued that Plotinus vision of virtue evolved to a different place than Plato and Aristotle, that the understanding of morality and the system of virtues before Plotinus were positioned in a more realistic place, and that his view turned into a semi-mystical philosophical moral vision shaped around the ideal of assimilation to God. In addition, it will be concluded that although the virtues are used synonymously with wisdom, bravery, justice in the higher and lower worlds, the Spirit is identical with the virtues in the realm of divine Intelligence, and in the realm of sense, the soul, which is together with the body, should try to resemble God by acquiring the virtues through purification. Consequently, Plotinus being the owner of almost one of the two main metaphysical doctrines in the period from Plato to Descartes and his position in the view of Platonism, with its fundamental differences against Aristotelianism in terms of its power of influence, has created a transformation not only in metaphysical doctrine but also in the basis and understanding of moral philosophy. This individual-centered understanding, without denying the contribution of political virtues at the initial level of moral transformation, but aiming to attain the ideal of purification by turning to oneself and leaving behind the physical forms of perception of the soul and all boundaries, especially language, presented a human concept that differentiated itself from the previous perspectives and pioneered many of the subsequent philosophical, religious and mystical school. Considering the whole of Plotinus philosophy, it has been suggested that this turning inward does not mean ignoring the external world, that having virtue according to the determined standards in the external world is deemed insufficient, therefore, after this stage, it is argued that it is necessary to purify by turning inward.

 Bu çalışma Yeni Platonculuğun kurucu metni olan Enneadları merkeze alarak Plotinusun ahlâk, erdemler ve adalet konusundaki düşüncesini ortaya koymayı hedeflemektedir. Bunu gerçekleştirmek için Enneadların I, 2, 19. bölümü tüm detaylarıyla ele alınacaktır. Elbette modern ve çağdaş dönemde bu konu etrafında gelişen literatür de göz ardı edilmeyecektir. Plotinusun erdem tasavvurunun Platon ve Aristotelesten daha farklı bir yere evirildiği, Plotinus öncesindeki ahlâk anlayışının ve erdemler sistematiğinin daha realist bir yerde konumlandığı, onun görüşünün ise Tanrıyla benzeme ideali etrafında şekillenen yarı mistik bir felsefî ahlâk tasavvuruna dönüştüğü öne sürülecektir. Ayrıca erdemlerin yüce ve bayağı âlemde hikmet, şeceaat, adalet gibi eş adlı isimlerle adlandırılmasına karşın yüce âlemde Ruhun erdemlerle özdeş olduğu, bayağı âlemde bedenle birlikte bulunan nefsin ise erdemleri arınma yoluyla edinerek tanrıya benzemeye çalışması gerektiği sonucuna ulaşılacaktır. Sonuç olarak Plotinusun, Platondan Descartese kadarki süreçte neredeyse iki ana metafizik öğretiden birinin sahibi oluşu ve etki gücü bakımından Aristotelesçiliğin karşısına esaslı farklılıklarla birlikte Platonculuk görünümünde konumlanışı sadece metafizik öğretide değil ahlâk felsefenin temel kavramları ve kavrayışında da bir dönüşüm oluşturmuştur. Bireyfert merkezli bu kavrayış, ahlâki dönüşümü başlangıç düzeyinde siyasi erdemlerin de katkısını yadsımadan ama kişinin kendine yönelmesi ve nefsinin bedensel kavrayış biçimleri ve dil başta olmak üzere tüm sınırları geride bırakıp arınma idealine ulaşmayı hedefleyerek kendisinden önceki perspektiflerden farklılaşmış ve kendisinden sonraki pek çok felsefî, dîni ve mistik ekole öncülük etmiş bir insan tasavvuru sunmuştur. Plotinusun felsefesinin bütünü dikkate alındığında bu içe dönüşün, dış dünyayı yok saymak anlamına gelmediği, dış dünyadaki belirlenmiş ölçülere göre erdem sahibi olmanın yetersiz görüldüğü bu nedenle bu aşamadan sonra içe dönerek arınmak gerektiği fikrinin savunulduğu öne sürülmüştür.

Article Details

Virtues in Plotinus: The Theory of Purification and Assimilation (to God) in the Enneads (I,2,19)

Authors:

Cahid Şenel

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Felsefe Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Felsefe Arkivi Issue 59, pp.1-10

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001312805

pISSN:

0378-2816

Plotinus

ethics

virtue

justice

theory of assimilation to GodPlotinus

ahlak

erdem

adalet

benzeme teorisi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Cahid Şenel

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: Felsefe Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal: Felsefe Arkivi Issue 59, pp.1-10

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 12/2023

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001312805

pISSN: 0378-2816

Issues

Authors:

Cahid Şenel

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Felsefe Tarihi (Diğer)

Journal:

Felsefe Arkivi Issue 59, pp.1-10

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2023

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001312805

pISSN:

0378-2816