Porphyry's Launching-Points to the Realm of Mind: An Introduction to the Neoplatonic Philosophy of Plotinus

by Porphyry

Book by Porphyry

Genres: Philosophy

95 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1988

About the author

Porphyry's parents were Phoenician, and he was born in Tyre. His parents named him Malchus ("king") but his teacher in Athens, Cassius Longinus, gave him the name Porphyrius ("clad in purple"), possibly a reference to his Phoenician heritage, or a punning allusion to his name and the color of royal robes.

Porphyry of Tyre (Greek: Πορφύριος, Porphyrios, AD c. 234–c. 305) was a Neoplatonic philosopher who was born in Tyre. He edited and published the Enneads, the only collection of the work of his teacher Plotinus. He also wrote many works himself on a wide variety of topics. His Isagoge, or Introduction, is an introduction to logic and philosophy,and in Latin translation it was the standard textbook on logic throughout the Middle Ages. In addition, through several of his works, most notably Philosophy from Oracles and Against the Christians, he was involved in a controversy with a number of early Christians, and his commentary on Euclid's Elements was used as a source by Pappus of Alexandria. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title says it's a launching point into the philosophy of Plotinus. A very short and to the point book which gives bullet points and explanations to the key sections to Plotinus's philosophy. You glean enough to have an idea of what Plotinus had to say and perhaps develop the desire to jump into the Ennead and begin wading your way through it.

[Harold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written with great clarity; worth reading more than once

[TR · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to metaphysics according to a neoplatonist.