The manner and end of the ascension of the soul in the philosophy of Plotinus

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. in Philosophy of Art, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Literature and Human Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In Plotinus' philosophical system, the only possible happiness for man is oneness with One with consciousness and epistemological enlightenment. This paper, using a descriptive-analytical method, studies the way, requirements, realization and the limit of Ascension of the Soul. One of the findings of the study is that the only path to the ascension of the soul in Plotinus' view is a rational dialectic that transcends from partial thoughts to pure ideas; And components such as guidance, the acquisition of moral virtues, and the perception of beauty contribute to this process. In the process of carnal ascension, the realization of each level of knowledge for the soul is equivalent to the lifting of the soul to the level of existence of that level of epistemology. The ultimate possible knowledge at the end of the rational course of the soul is the necessary unity with the whole intellect, which is considered as the power to realize the inherent foundation of man. Oneness with one is inexplicable, unpredictable, and subject to an infinite will.
In Plotinus' philosophical system, the only possible happiness for man is oneness with One with consciousness and epistemological enlightenment. This paper, using a descriptive-analytical method, studies the way, requirements, realization and the limit of Ascension of the Soul. One of the findings of the study is that the only path to the ascension of the soul in Plotinus' view is a rational dialectic that transcends from partial thoughts to pure ideas; And components such as guidance, the acquisition of moral virtues, and the perception of beauty contribute to this process. In the process of carnal ascension, the realization of each level of knowledge for the soul is equivalent to the lifting of the soul to the level of existence of that level of epistemology. The ultimate possible knowledge at the end of the rational course of the soul is the necessary unity with the whole intellect, which is considered as the power to realize the inherent foundation of man. Oneness with one is inexplicable, unpredictable, and subject to an infinite will.

Keywords

References

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Religions and Mysticism
Volume 53, Issue 2
March 2021
Pages 478-459

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