Believe Quote by Peter Adamson
“There's a stronger and more kind of controversial element of Plotinus' view of matter, which is that he actually identifies it with evil, or at least the principle of evil, and the reason for this is that he thinks that the the One, the highest principle, can also be thought of as the Good, and that's kind of surprising like, because he has this negative theology which doesn't allow us to say anything about the One. But he believes that it can be seen as the principle of goodness as well as unity, and that if you think about it, goodness and unity sort of go along with each other.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Plotinus' Enneads, translated by Stephen MacKenna, 1915
Plotinus equates matter with evil, suggesting the ultimate principle (the One) embodies both goodness and unity, creating a paradox in his negative theology.
In simple terms: Matter is linked to evil while the One is good and unified.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the tension between material evil and divine unity.
Themes
philosophy
theology
duality
metaphysics
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- spiritual contemplation
- ethical debates
- comparative religion
Key Concepts
negative theology
principle of evil
unity of the One
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this dualism affect our view of the material world?
- Can evil be seen as a necessary contrast?
A Different Perspective
The view may oversimplify matter's role, ignoring its potential for positive expression.
