Metaphysical transcendence in Plotinus - or: How can we address absolute transcendence?

In the following article, I want to conduct an experiment: I ask what happens if we assume that Plotinus constructed transcendence radically. If we take transcendence seriously, however, the question arises as to what extent Plotinus can still address transcendence. This problem can only be solved i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Rohstock, Max (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: October 2025
In: Classical philology
Year: 2025, Volume: 120, Issue: 4, Pages: 567-581
ISSN:1546-072X
DOI:10.1086/737271
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1086/737271
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/737271
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Author Notes:Max Rohstock
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Summary:In the following article, I want to conduct an experiment: I ask what happens if we assume that Plotinus constructed transcendence radically. If we take transcendence seriously, however, the question arises as to what extent Plotinus can still address transcendence. This problem can only be solved if we clarify how Plotinus addresses transcendence. I show that Plotinus makes it possible to experience transcendence with the help of the “loving Intellect,” that is, henological striving. Thus, henological striving becomes the hinge of his metaphysics. Additionally, this striving reveals Plotinian metaphysics as a transcendental philosophical theory of subjectivity avant la lettre.
Item Description:Gesehen am 22.10.2025
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1546-072X
DOI:10.1086/737271