Plotinus’ Adoption of Aristotle’s Doctrine of Act (Energeia)
Plotinus’ Adoption of Aristotle’s Doctrine of Act (Energeia)

Summary/Abstract: Plotinus demonstrated his commitment to energeia by having devoted an entire treatise to the energeia/dynamis distinction, which seems to be important to Plotinus’ philosophical project as a whole. The article attempts to demonstrate that energeia, which is synonymous with contemplation (no􀆝sis) and being (ousia, eidos, to on, no􀆝ton), should be translated in various ways out of respect for the fact that there are different levels of contemplation and being and that there are different ways of looking at being. It also maintains that Plotinus’ handling of energeia is generally a reaction, in both positive and negative ways, to the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. On account of delivered commentary on Enneads II, 5 (25) and VI, 2 (43), conjoined to its conclusions, the article strives for showing that Plotinus’ doctrine of energeia/dynamis unlocks his entire philosophy.

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