Plotinus Ennead V.8: On Intelligible Beauty: Translation, with an Introduction, and Commentary (The Enneads of Plotinus) - Softcover

Andrew Smith (author)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1930972652 ISBN 13: 9781930972650

Publisher: Parmenides Publishing, 2018

Synopsis

Plotinus’ Ennead V.8, originally part of a single work (with III.8, V.5, and II.9), provides the foundation for a positive view of the universe as an image of divine beauty against the Gnostic rejection of the world. Although it emphasizes the cosmic dimension of beauty, it is, as are most treatises of Plotinus, concerned with the individual soul. The notion that the artist has within him an idea of beauty that derives directly from the intelligible world in fact coincides with his theory that each one of us has access to Intellect through his or her own intellect. It is the exploitation of this theme that forms the central dynamic of the treatise, with its stress on our ability to ""see"" and be one with the intelligible world and its beauty.

About this title

About the Author

Andrew Smith is Emeritus Professor at University College Dublin where he was Professor of Classics from 1992–2010. He had also lectured at the University of Liverpool and University College Galway after undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Hull and Bern. He is the author of numerous articles on Neoplatonism (some of which are reprinted in Plotinus, Porphyry and Iamblichus: Philosophy and Religion in Neoplatonism, 2012) and edited the Teubner edition of the fragments of Porphyry. He has contributed Ennead I.6 to this series, of which he is the co-editor with John Dillon.

From the Back Cover

"Smith's excellent translation is accompanied by an insightful introduction and commentary that illuminates this treatise's important elucidation of the universal and cosmic dimension of beauty and its wide-ranging deployment of mythical imagery. Highly recommended for all students of Plotinus' theories of love, beauty, and the arts."
--John Bussanich, Professor of Philosophy, University of New Mexico

"As Smith rightfully points out in this brilliant and insightful new commentary on Ennead V.8, the treatise should not only be read as part of the anti-Gnostic Großschrift 30-33, but be acknowledged for its independent development of an original idealist theory of beauty."
--Prof. Dr. Christoph Horn, Universität Bonn, Institut für Philosophie

"Ennead V.8 is the second part of a long treatise divided into four sections, the other three parts being III.8, V.5, and II.9, the last two of which are already available in this series. Smith's translation of V.8 is lucid and the commentary learned. For the Plotinian initiate the intelligible world is clearly explained and set firmly in its philosophical context and background. As our guide on the path to and inside Intellect Smith is sure-footed--his immense learning evident on every page."
--Kieran McGroarty, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Ancient Classics, Maynooth University

"Smith does a (pun-intended) beautiful job of introducing treatise V.8 On Intelligible Beauty, as well as on the fresh translation, and informative commentary and synopses. Anyone interested in the work of Plotinus, Plato, and even art or beauty in general should read this book; doing so will produce intellectual dividends."
--David J. Yount, Professor of Philosophy, Mesa Community College

"As Smith rightfully points out in this brilliant and insightful new commentary on Ennead V.8, the treatise should not only be read as part of the anti-Gnostic Großschrift 30-33, but be acknowledged for its independent development of an original idealist theory of beauty."
--Prof. Dr. Christoph Horn, Universität Bonn, Institut für Philosophie

"Ennead V.8 is the second part of a long treatise divided into four sections, the other three parts being III.8, V.5, and II.9, the last two of which are already available in this series. Smith's translation of V.8 is lucid and the commentary learned. For the Plotinian initiate the intelligible world is clearly explained and set firmly in its philosophical context and background. As our guide on the path to and inside Intellect Smith is sure-footed--his immense learning evident on every page."
--Kieran McGroarty, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Ancient Classics, Maynooth University

"Smith does a (pun-intended) beautiful job of introducing treatise V.8 On Intelligible Beauty, as well as on the fresh translation, and informative commentary and synopses. Anyone interested in the work of Plotinus, Plato, and even art or beauty in general should read this book; doing so will produce intellectual dividends."
--David J. Yount, Professor of Philosophy, Mesa Community College

Edition details

• Publisher: Parmenides Publishing
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1930972652
• ISBN 13: 9781930972650
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 173