Regarded as the founder of Neo-Platonism Plotinus (AD 204-70) was the last great philosopher of antiquity producing 0works that proved in many ways a precursor to Renaissance thought Plotinus was convinced of the existence of a state of supreme perfection & argued powerfully that it was necessary to guide the human soul towards this state Here he outlines his compelling belief in three increasingly perfect levels of existence
- the Soul the Intellect & the One
- & explains his conviction that humanity must strive to draw the soul towards spiritual transcendence A fusion of Platonism mystic passion & Aristotelian thought The Enneads offers a highly original synthesis of early philosophical & religious beliefs which powerfully influenced later Christian & Islamic theology