Plotinus / Hutchins, Robert Maynard And Adler, Mortimer J. -- (Editors)

About the Author

Plotinus, the ancient philosopher and founder of Neoplatonism, profoundly influenced Western thought through his mystical and metaphysical explorations, as meticulously edited and introduced by Robert Maynard Hutchins and Mortimer J. Adler in the esteemed Great Books of the Western World series. Born in Egypt around 204 CE, Plotinus studied under Ammonius Saccas in Alexandria before establishing his school in Rome, where he attracted a diverse following including Roman senators and intellectuals. His teachings, compiled posthumously by his student Porphyry into The Six Enneads, delve into the nature of the One, the emanation of the universe, and the soul's ascent to divine unity, blending Greek philosophy with spiritual insight. Hutchins, former president of the University of Chicago, and Adler, a philosopher and educational reformer, curated this volume to make Plotinus's timeless wisdom accessible to modern readers, emphasizing its role in shaping Christian, Islamic, and Renaissance traditions.