Plotinus on Number - Svetla Slaveva-Griffin

Plotinus on Number

By: Svetla Slaveva-Griffin

Hardcover | 28 May 2009

At a Glance

Hardcover


RRP $339.00

$199.90

41%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $49.98 with

 or 

Aims to ship in 5 to 10 business days

Ancient Greek Philosophy routinely relied upon concepts of number to explain the tangible order of the universe. Plotinus' contribution to this tradition, however, has been often omitted, if not ignored. The main reason for this, at first glance, is the Plotinus does not treat the subject of number in the Enneads as pervasively as the Neopythagoreans or even his own successors Lamblichus, Syrianus, and Proclus. Nevertheless, a close examination of the Enneads reveals that Plotinus systematically discusses number in relation to each of his underlying principles of existence--the One, Intellect, and Soul. Plotinus on Number offers the first comprehensive analysis of Plotinus' concept of number, beginning with its origins in Plato and the Neopythagoreans and ending with its influence on Porphyry's arrangement of the Enneads. It's main argument is that Plotinus adapts Plato's and the Neopythagoreans' cosmology to place number in the foundation of the intelligible realm and in the construction of the universe. Through Plotinus' defense of Plato's Ideal Numbers from Aristotle's criticism, Svetla Slaveva-Griffin reveals the founder of Neoplatonism as the first post-Platonic philosopher who purposefully and systematically develops what we may call a theory of number, distinguishing between number in the intelligible realm and number in the quantitative, mathematical realm. Finally, the book draws attention to Plotinus' concept as a necesscary and fundamental linke between Platonic and late Neoplatonic schools of philosophy.
Industry Reviews
"Well argued and will stimulate further discussion of the matter." --Classical World "Slaveva-Griffin deals with her sometimes intractable subject with remarkable ease and clarity, and she is in full command of the relevant literature, both ancient and modern.... this book is a rewarding study of important aspects of Plotinus philosophy as a whole, and an indispensable tool for anyone interested in Enn. VI.6 and the mathematical strand in ancient Platonism."--Frans A. J. de Haas, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

More in Classical Literary Studies

Discourses and Selected Writings : Penguin Classics - Epictetus
The Histories : Penguin Classics - Herodotus

RRP $24.99

$18.95

24%
OFF
If Not, Winter : Fragments Of Sappho - Anne Carson

RRP $29.99

$22.90

24%
OFF
The Voynich Manuscript - Raymond Clemens

RRP $82.95

$55.00

34%
OFF
Heroines of Olympus : The Women of Greek Mythology - Ellie Mackin Roberts
Inferno : Penguin Classics - Dante Dante
An Independent Study Guide to Reading Greek : 2nd Edition - Joint Association of Classical Teachers'
Introduction to Medieval Europe 300-1500 : 4th Edition - Wim Blockmans
Bedtime Story - Chloe Hooper

Paperback

RRP $24.99

$21.95

12%
OFF
Pompeii and Herculaneum : 2nd Edition - A Sourcebook - Alison E. Cooley
Eros the Bittersweet : Dalkey Archive Essentials - Anne Carson
Herodotus : Book III - Georgina Longley

RRP $190.00

$138.90

27%
OFF
Herodotus : Book III - Georgina Longley

RRP $61.99

$50.75

18%
OFF
Heracles and Athenian Propaganda : Politics, Imagery and Drama - Sofia Frade
Aristophanes : Wasps - Craig Jendza

RRP $140.00

$104.90

25%
OFF
Classical Receptions and Impact of Xena : Warrior Princess - Amanda Potter