Plotinus’ Treatise on the Beautiful (Ennead I, vi )
‘Try to raise the divine in yourself to the divine in all…..’
This blog on
Plotinus is based on the online ‘meet up’ talk I gave in June 2020. It will appeal to anyone wanting to dig a bit deeper into Plato’s theory of
forms – and his World of Perfect Ideas or Forms. In particular we will be
looking at the Perfect Idea of Form of Beauty, which while including beautiful
looks – also includes
beautiful views, beautiful personalities, beautiful composition, and indeed
‘Beauty’ in the widest sense of the word.
It may sound as if this blog post is only about abstract and vague
intellectual ideas (‘The Beautiful’ in this case……); and while it is about this
in part - it is also going deeper - perhaps much deeper - into how Plato
thought that we could live more ‘ethically’ or ‘correctly and
better’ - and indeed more ‘beautifully’ ourselves in the real world. In order
to do this Plato believes that we need first to have some understanding of what
the Idea of Beauty and the Beautiful really is in essence…..
Keep in mind also, that while we are largely discussing how we
could live better ‘personally’, Plato and Plotinus’s views also apply to us as
groups and communities of people (e.g. cities and countries); and about how our
leaders make decisions on our behalf.
It is a fundamental principle of Platonic
ethics and living 'the good life' that you have to try and improve yourself;
and then after that try to improve the things and people around you in a
practical way. ‘Real Greek philosophy’ is to a greater extent a ‘practical’
subject and only in part an intellectual pursuit, and often only then as a
preliminary activity to action. If this is the case, then we need to look
deeper at the link between the theoretical metaphysics of Plato– and his practical
ethics of how to live our lives in the best possible way.
Remember metaphysics’ is simply the big
stuff that is hard to prove – or disprove - with our usual science. Metaphysics
is literally ‘above’ our known scientific principles. Plato believed that there was another world all
around us that we cannot usually see with our eyes, but it is actually there;
and that in some ways this is the real world - in the sense of it being more
important than the world of the senses that we see all around us and that we
interact with using our human bodily senses.
The other ‘invisible’ world, to put it
simply, we can only interact with and ‘see’ by using our mind and intellects -
and in this world Ideas can actually exist on their own without any material
examples of them. To ‘see’ in this this other world we are advised to close our
eyes – and use our intellect to see and appreciate things. For example, we are all
sitting on chairs which were ideas before they became material chairs, and
perhaps you will be drinking a wine or a beer (or maybe two) later tonight
which were also ideas before they came into being. While we can all appreciate
these ‘visual’ and ‘ordinary’ material examples of ideas becoming “things and
stuff” this is only half the story. Plato believed in a separate world of
'Perfect Ideas', which he calls ‘The Forms’ (hence Plato’s Theory of the Forms)
where the basic or first idea (let’s call it a template idea) for everything
exists in a perfect way
Now although chairs etc are very useful
things, and easy visual examples to discuss, this Theory of the Forms also applies
to other less visible or tangible concepts such as justice, courage, moderation
and importantly for tonight’s talk ‘Beauty’ in this other unseen world, and
here in our world, the sensible world of the bodily senses, we only see or
witness ‘particular’ examples of these things.
I am not saying I agree or disagree – I am
just giving a little background on deeper Platonic thought and his metaphysics.
Now it is thought that Plato changed his views on this as he went through life
- so it’s not a dogma he is suggesting - but something we should consider and
contemplate as we try to get a fix on how the reality we live in really is -
and decide how we are going to live our lives in the best possible way within
that reality.
Plato also suggests that the universe and
everything in it has been created or has flowed out of the one source or
fountain of everything, which is beyond all description, and which he calls
‘the One’ and/or ‘the Good’. (A kind of divine fountain or source of
everything…..)
According to the writings of Plato “the
One” and the Good and very closely aligned – and almost different aspects of
the same thing. Therefore, if we could get closer to and understand better ‘the
Good’, then we would get closer to ‘The One” – the divine source. Remember these things are ‘invisible’ Ideas –
only knowable with our intellects – and not our usual senses – such as sight or
sound.
In Platonic thinking the ‘contemplation and
investigation’ of what the truly good and beautiful way to live is (and what
the correct specific action to take in a given situation in the real world is) -
is a pre requisite and first step in us choosing to live that way. Simply put, if
we always act quickly and impulsively, we might do the right thing; but usually
it’s better to consider what the right thing to do is before we take any
action….both as individuals or leaders of a city or group.
In other words, we are looking at the idea
of ‘Beauty’ in its essence (or Platonic form) - tonight to see if Plotinus
suggests how we should live our life. We could of course have decided to look
at other important Ideas such as Goodness, Courage and Fortitude, Moderation, Wisdom,
Justice.
Socrates
clearly believes in the actual existence of these perfect Ideas or Forms – and
the Idea of Perfect beauty in the ‘Platonic’ sense of the word. He says that (Plato-Phaedo-100d/e):
‘….. nothing makes a thing beautiful but the presence and participation
of Beauty in whatever way or manner obtained; for as to the manner I am uncertain,
but I stoutly contend that by Beauty all beautiful things become beautiful.
This appears to me to be the safest answer which I can give, either to myself
or to another, and to this I cling, in the persuasion that this principle will
never be overthrown, and that to myself or to anyone who asks the question, I
may safely reply, that by Beauty beautiful things become beautiful’.
He
then applies this notion to other eternal Ideas such as Greatness. According to
Socrates nothing becomes great without participating in the idea of Greatness.
He also says that there is no way anything comes into existence except by
participation with its own proper essence or Form.
He
also says that something cannot partake of two opposite perfect Ideas at the
same time – for example hot and cold. A bowel of soup cannot be hot and cold at
the same time – it can only move from one state of being to the other in
stages….. It is a gradual process……
Let me just add a quick storey here that I
call ‘The Piano Player’ which kind of fits in here – about moving from
one state of being to another. Imagine a friend introduces me to someone
who is an experienced concert pianist who sometimes offers instruction to other
pianists. Imagine also that I have been planning to learn the piano at some
point in my life, and although I have never bought a piano played one I did buy
a book ‘piano for dummies’ last week albeit I haven’t read it yet. If I then
say to this concert pianist that I would be grateful if he could give me a lesson
it makes me seem ridiculous to people; since this pianist has so many insights
to offer experienced pianists that are trying to improve.
….. And in general, learning or
understanding better anything - gets better or more productive the more you
know about something in the first place. A good guitarist could really learn
something from Eric Clapton; a good artist could similarly learn from Leonardo
da Vinci. A good sculptor from Michelangelo. The person who hasn’t made any
effort at the guitar, painting or sculpture wouldn’t learn as much and might
not even understand some of the things the expert is explaining. This principle
applies even more for someone wanting to follow the philosophical path -or
simply to try and live a little bit better. A bad selfish and greedy man does
not go to bed one evening and wake up as a good man in the morning…. It also follows
that the better and more ‘beautiful’ a person you are - the closer and easier
it will be to understand the perfect ideas of The One, The Good and The
Beautiful….. You simply cannot recognise
and know something – if you have no idea about that thing….. For example again,
only a dedicated and trained mathematician can appreciate fully some high
powered mathematical concepts ….
There is another problem – even for
dedicated and experienced philosophers trying to following the right path. Contemplating
the Good and The One is very difficult for everyone– and much harder than
contemplating some of the other template Ideas or Forms…..
Plato suggests that The Beautiful is the
visible expression of the Good…….. and
we can more easily see and understand examples of beautiful things around us
(beautiful people – on the inside and out – beautiful sunsets and views ….. beautiful
actions and behaviours - and we can listen to beautiful music etc……. So “if” we
can get to understand a little better what the Beautiful actually is…… it helps
us to understand what The Good is – and this in turn helps to give us some idea
of what ‘The One’ is….. since they are
closely related….. Plato suggests that understanding ‘the Beautiful’ could be a
stepping stone towards understanding the good. This blog is only trying to
present an ‘overview’ of these things…..
This idea of steadily moving and working towards where you want to be
with something being important in many fields of endeavour…… (like the piano
player I just mentioned) .. includes if you are trying to be a good or
‘beautiful’ person - (again in its broadest sense) person. In Platonic thinking
- the better and more beautiful a person you are - the easier it will be to
understand and better the perfect ideas of The Beautiful, The Good, and who
knows…. even The One
[Side Note: someone trying to pick a beautiful diamond
out of the bag of fake diamonds will find it very hard to do if he or she does
not really know what a real diamond looks like. Choosing the real diamond will
be guesswork at best; and might at worse be related to our physical senses and
desires. E.g. someone might simply choose the biggest and shiniest looking
diamond in the bag.]
So let’s discuss now what Plotinus has to
say about this other worldly idea of ‘The Beautiful and the Good’ to see if it
can help us get our own fix on these things – or at least help guide us with
our own contemplation or search for the Beautiful… and the Good ….. and I
suppose if we are very fortunate The One or the divine source of everything….
Short Biography of Plotinus
Plotinus was born in 204/205 C.E. apx in Egypt, the
exact location of which is unknown. In his mid-twenties we do know he gravitated
to Alexandria, where he attended the lectures of various philosophers, not
finding satisfaction with any until he discovered the teacher Ammonius Saccas.
He remained with Ammonius until 242 (ie about 20 years), at which time he
joined up with the Emperor Gordian on an expedition to Persia, for the purpose,
it seems, of engaging the famed philosophers of that country in the pursuit of
wisdom. The expedition never met its destination, for Gordian was assassinated on
the way in Mesopotamia, and Plotinus returned to Rome to set up his own philosophy
school. (He was about 40 at this time) He taught philosophy in Rome for twenty
years before the arrival of a special student to his school called Porphyry,
who was destined to become his most famous pupil, as well as his biographer and
the editor of his various writings…..
It was at this time, encouraged by Porphyry, that
Plotinus (in his 60’s) began to collect his lecture notes / treatise and essays
into any systematic form, and to compose new ones. His writings on various
subjects are collectively known as The Enneads – and we are going to look at
one of them this evening. (Although Plotinus regarded Plato as the ultimate
authority on all things philosophical, he was known to have disagreed with him
on occasions. After all – he was a great thinker and philosopher in his own
right…… eg Ennead IV.8.1 )
Plotinus is regarded by many as the father of the
Neo Platonists and Neoplatonic movement - since he was a great admirer of Plato, and
refers to him along with many other philosophers in his writings; and indeed
makes engaging references to Plato’s writings – using similar symbols and
metaphors…...
Without going too far into this for this blog –
suffice to say we should be cautious of thinking that all the Neo Platonists
were the same and had similar views. This just isn’t the case since they
covered a period of some 350 years – from say the founding of Plotinus’ school
in Rome to the closing of all the philosophy schools in Athens around 520 CE.
For example, some 200 years after Plotinus there was a another group of
philosophers in Athens who are also regarded as Neo Platonists by many as they
offer many commentaries and explanations of Plato. However, in my view, some of
these ‘latter’ Neo Platonists of Athens (rather than the earlier Neo Platonists
like Plotinus and Porphyry of the 3rd century CE based in Rome) seem
to be given much more dogmatically and prescriptively than those of the
original philosophers Socrates and Plato who they claim to be explaining. It is
an interesting subject for another talk maybe - but for the moment just be
cautious of thinking that all the Neoplatonists were the same and shared the
same ideas and views.
A final biographical point on Plotinus is that we
should not make the mistake of regarding Plotinus as nothing more than a
commentator on Plato, albeit a brilliant, entertaining and very understandable one.
He was an original and profound thinker in his own right who wrote his own
philosophical ideas as well. It is true that he borrowed and re-worked many
things that he found useful from earlier thinkers such as Plato, and even from
his opponents, in order to construct his essays and treatises. This great
thinker and writer Plotinus died in solitude at Campania Italy in 270 C.E.
Let us now look at one of Plotinus’ pieces or
Enneads that is Ennead I, part vi which
is sometimes known as his Treatise on The Beautiful. The piece itself is
only 10 to 12 pages long - but it is a bit long for a blog post discussion. I
have therefore chosen 3 extracts to give you a good flavour of what’s going on.
(Refer to a previous post on this blog on 15th May 2020 for the "Text Extracts". Alternatively, the full piece to read if you wish is available at:
(Extract A) Plotinus tries to describe Beauty and
define it
Notice:
-
We are talking about
Beauty in its very widest sense…
-
The connection and
similarities between the ‘idea’ of Beauty in the divine world, and this other
visible world of the senses. (This crops up with The Cave and The Phaedrus. In
the Phaedrus the lover sees a beautiful face in this world - but is reminded of
the divine Beauty he once saw when his soul - not attached to his earthly body
- followed a God to the outer heavens. You will see that Plotinus in his
various writings often includes and refers very directly to some Platonic
passages, themes and myths.
(Extract B) – The
Importance of Virtue and Living Correctly
Notice:
Notice:
-
Beautiful ways of
life….
-
Being in control of
‘lusts’. (… Although Plato never suggests that being in love with someone - of
physical intimacy is a bad thing at the appropriate time. This is different to
someone who is a slave to their desires whether that be drink, sex, money or
whatever. None of these things are necessarily bad providing we are in control
and act appropriately with some moderation – according to Plato at least.
-
(Extract C – Parts 1 and 2) Acting and living
‘beautifully’ (i.e How to Make Ourselves More Beautiful a both
from a theoretical and practical point of view……) Pt 1 = ‘Theoretically’ and Pt 2 = ‘Practically’
Notice:
Notice:
-
To actually “see” the perfect
Beauty is the challenge
-
How to find it or see
it. (We must shut our eyes to see…)
-
Not visible to the
profane – (ties in with my piano player storey and being able to see the true
diamond in the bag.) We will not see the Beautiful if we do not have ‘some
idea’ what it is we are looking for…..
-
Finding our way
-
Looking after and
finishing our own personal ‘statues’
-
Plotinus suggests that
our goal should not simply be to live like a good person - but to live
perfectly and beautifully like a God?
Some closing remarks if I may…..
So that’s a flavour of what Plotinus writes about Beauty.
He tries to define what beauty actually is (which is a good place to start any
philosophical discussion or contemplation) - and comes to a working definition
at least that will do for his own purposes…… He then talks about the process of
improving ourselves by living in virtue and living ‘correctly’ however we
define this – again for our own purposes.
This is just the path or part of the process in achieving or seeing real
Beauty in ourselves which is necessary if we are to be able to recognise divine
Beauty at all. If you remember, I talked about only good piano players being
able to learn from a great piano player – and not the beginners. There is a
need for time and effort from us in the early stages.
Then later on in Plotinus’ essay he talks about us
actually seeing ‘the Good and the Beautiful’ (there are echoes of Plato’s
Phaedrus here which talks about the ascent of the soul represented by a chariot
with 2 horses; and of Plat’s myth of the Cave); and us not just ‘aspiring’ to be that way
(like a God) but to actually live in a godlike way ourselves. Platonic
philosophy is not just about reading books, discussing and observing – its
about actually LIVING that way…….
However, if we want to live in a good and beautiful
way – FIRST we have to explore what these ideas actually mean in their purest
sense – and then only secondly focus our attentions on trying to achieve them……
since ‘trying’ is an important part of Plato’s ethical living.
Plotinus uses the attractive and very understandable
metaphor of a sculptor trying to make his statue as good as he possibly can by
making small improvements here and there towards the end…… And he suggests that
we should look at ourselves in the same way as we go through life - and make
small improvements regularly to ourselves where we can….
In many of the talks I have given previously I have
tried to strip away the extra details of Platonic philosophy so the we can
grasp the essential ideas underneath. (A bit like unwrapping a Christmas
present that has been over wrapped with too much string, tape and layers of
paper…..)
However, tonight we have gone the other way – and looked
a bit deeper into the details of why Plato’s essential Ideas or Theory of Forms
(and his metaphysics) are important to consider and understand a little…… as it
helps us get a grasp at a true
understanding of the things around us…. or that we could have around
us….. In part, it offers us another layer of reasoning and motivation to live
in a certain way….. when on the face of it, carrying on as we are in some
matters is more appealing to our down to earth senses and primal desires……
I hope you have enjoyed this small taste of
Plotinus - and begin to see the importance of Plato’s Forms - and this world of
ideas a little clearer…… We don’t have to agree with everything Plato, Socrates
– or Plotinus says - but they can give us important signposts to follow as we
make our own search for the Beautiful, the Good, and then who knows - even the
One or the Divine itself… […. Since these things remember, according to Plato,
are all closely related….]
I leave you with the
final words of Plotinus who on his deathbed said to his friends and students
gathered there:
‘Try
to raise the divine in yourself to the divine in all…..’
