Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 1

PlotinusProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.4

Word count: 490K words
Chapters: 50

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 1 by PlotinusAuthor: Plotinus, 205?-270,Language: English, Class: B: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Release Date: Jun 13, 2013

Editor's review

This is the Project Gutenberg electronic edition of the first volume of the complete works of Plotinus in English translation, a core text of Neoplatonic philosophy. Plotinus inherits from Plato and shapes later metaphysics and the mystical tradition; this volume contains some of his treatises, dealing with the soul, intellect, the One, and the sensible world. The English translation helps Chinese readers enter the arguments through a familiar language, but the terminology is dense and the reasoning proceeds layer by layer, so it is not suited to fragmentary browsing. When reading, first grasp the question and conclusion of each treatise, then review the steps of the argument; a history of philosophy introduction or glossary will reduce comprehension difficulties. This electronic edition is a public-domain text without modern translation notes or a detailed introduction, suitable as primary source material for philosophy students and researchers and for serious readers interested in metaphysics and philosophy of religion. If you only want a general idea of Plotinus's thought, read an introductory work first and then return to selected treatises in this volume.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Philosophy students and researchers who need to read Neoplatonic primary texts
Serious readers interested in metaphysics, the theory of the soul, and philosophy of religion
Self-learners with English philosophical reading ability willing to read arguments slowly
Scholars studying the reception history of Platonism and the Western mystical tradition

Not a good fit for

General readers without philosophical reading training who expect an easy introduction
Beginners who need modern translation notes, terminology explanations, and a detailed introduction
People who only want a quick overview of Plotinus's thought and are unwilling to follow the arguments

Reading tips

First read a chapter on Plotinus in a history of philosophy to build a basic framework of terms such as the One, intellect, and soul.
Read treatise by treatise; for each, first identify the core question and conclusion, then trace the chain of argument.
Prepare a glossary and record recurring key terms and their English usage to avoid conceptual confusion.
Do not insist on reading the whole volume; begin with treatises on the soul or the One and gradually expand.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Can I read this English translation without a philosophy background?

You can try, but it is quite difficult. Plotinus's arguments are abstract and terminology-dense. It is advisable first to read a history of philosophy or an introduction to Neoplatonism, master basic concepts such as the One, intellect, and soul, then read the shorter treatises in this volume with terminology notes, rather than plowing straight through from page one.

Does this edition have translation notes and an introduction?

According to the available information, this is an English-language electronic text released by Project Gutenberg that mainly provides the work's content; it does not state that modern translation notes, a glossary, or a detailed introduction are included. Readers who need explanatory material should consult relevant research works or annotated scholarly editions.

What does the first volume roughly contain?

The information only states that this is the first volume of the English translation of Plotinus's complete works and does not list specific treatises. Readers can check the table of contents after opening the e-book and choose according to treatise themes. It is usually best to start with shorter, more focused treatises and then move to more complex ones.

Is this book suitable as course reading material?

It is suitable for selected readings in courses on the history of philosophy, metaphysics, or philosophy of religion, but teachers need to supplement terminology explanations and background introductions. Because the electronic edition lacks modern annotations, it is advisable to use it alongside scholarly translations or secondary research literature, and to assign specific treatises and study questions so that students do not lose direction amid the dense argumentation.

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About the author

Plotinus Author · Greek

Plotinus (c. 205–270) was an ancient Greek philosopher. He was born at Lycopolis in Egypt, then under Roman rule, and died in Campania. He studied under Ammonius Saccas and moved to Rome around 245, where he taught and is regarded by later generations as the founder of Neoplatonism. His works were edited by his pupil Porphyry into the Enneads, in which he set out the doctrine of the three primary principles—the One, Intellect, and Soul—exerting a profound influence on later philosophy and theology. This library holds five of his works, including several volumes of the Complete Works of Plotinus and On the Beautiful, mostly in English translation or compilation, presenting his metaphysical and aesthetic thought. Public information on the details of his life is limited; readers may consult the volumes of the Complete Works and specialized studies to follow the development of his thought.