Six Lectures on Plotinus and Gnosticism [Paperback]

In this book an attempt is made to single out those elements in the philosophical system of the Enneads that stand apart from the Platonist tradition. On the basis of an extensive analysis of fundamental texts the author shows that what Plotinus had in mind was a quite independent paradigm of metaphysical theology, with at its centre the human person.In this book an attempt is made to single out those elements in the philosophical system of the Enneads that stand apart from the Platonist tradition. On the basis of an extensive analysis of fundamental texts the author shows that what Plotinus had in mind was a quite independent paradigm of metaphysical theology, with at its centre the human person.Preface. Introduction. I. Emanation. II. Mysticism. III. The Soul's Return to her Origin in Alexandrian Literature. IV. The Chronological Development of Plotinus' Theory of Soul. V. Conversion. The Late Treatises. A. Conversion. B. The Late Treatises. VI. The Human Person. Summary. Selected Bibliography. Index.Springer Book Archives