{"product_id":"plotinus-the-enneads","title":"Plotinus: The Enneads","description":"\u003cp\u003ePlotinus's \u003cem\u003eEnneads\u003c\/em\u003e—the foundational text of Neoplatonism presenting a complete philosophical system of metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and mystical ascent to the One, profoundly influencing Christian, Islamic, and Jewish philosophy and establishing the contemplative vision that shaped Western mysticism for over a millennium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlotinus (204-270 CE) stands as one of the most influential philosophers in late antiquity. His \u003cem\u003eEnneads\u003c\/em\u003e (meaning 'groups of nine'), compiled by his student Porphyry into six sets of nine treatises, synthesize Platonic philosophy with original metaphysical insights and contemplative practice. Plotinus presents reality as emanating from the One (the absolute, ineffable source) through Intellect (nous) to Soul (psyche) to the material world, while teaching that the human soul can ascend back through contemplation to mystical union with the One.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you'll discover:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe One—the absolute, ineffable source beyond being and thought\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe three hypostases: the One, Intellect (nous), and Soul (psyche)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmanation—how reality flows from the One while the One remains unchanged\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe nature of beauty, virtue, and the Good\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContemplation (theoria) as the path to union with the One\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe relationship between soul and body, time and eternity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvil as absence of good rather than positive force\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMystical experience and the ascent of the soul\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlotinus's metaphysics presents a hierarchical cosmos: the One is absolute unity beyond all categories; Intellect is eternal thought thinking itself, containing the Platonic Forms; Soul mediates between eternal Intellect and temporal world, giving life and order to matter. The human soul participates in this cosmic structure—our higher soul remains in the intelligible realm while our lower soul engages with the body and material world. Through contemplation and virtue, we can ascend from sensory experience through discursive reasoning to intellectual intuition and finally to mystical union with the One.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat makes the \u003cem\u003eEnneads\u003c\/em\u003e essential is its synthesis of rigorous philosophy with mystical vision. Plotinus doesn't merely describe the One abstractly but speaks from direct experience of mystical union, which he reportedly achieved multiple times. His philosophy profoundly influenced Augustine, Pseudo-Dionysius, and Christian mysticism; Islamic philosophers like Al-Farabi and Avicenna; Jewish thinkers like Ibn Gabirol; and the entire Western contemplative tradition. His ideas on emanation, the ascent of the soul, and the ineffable One shaped how monotheistic religions understood God, creation, and mystical experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis definitive Lloyd P. Gerson translation presents the complete \u003cem\u003eEnneads\u003c\/em\u003e plus Porphyry's \u003cem\u003eLife of Plotinus\u003c\/em\u003e in one volume, with consistent vocabulary ideal for studying Plotinus's philosophical arguments. The second edition includes corrections and additional cross-references enriching understanding of Plotinus's complex presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Students of ancient philosophy and Neoplatonism, readers interested in Platonic tradition and late antiquity, those studying the philosophical foundations of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish mysticism, students of metaphysics and philosophy of mind, readers exploring contemplative philosophy and mystical ascent, anyone interested in the relationship between philosophy and mystical experience, and scholars seeking the definitive English translation of this foundational text.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis hardcover edition presents the complete \u003cem\u003eEnneads\u003c\/em\u003e with Porphyry's \u003cem\u003eLife of Plotinus\u003c\/em\u003e—the definitive Gerson translation of Plotinus's masterwork that established Neoplatonism and shaped Western contemplative philosophy.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lloyd Gerson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46368355680387,"sku":"BS-3QC-604970","price":103.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0695\/1583\/7571\/files\/9781009604970-HD.jpg?v=1768660658","url":"https:\/\/www.merceliarose.com\/products\/plotinus-the-enneads","provider":"Mercelia Rose","version":"1.0","type":"link"}