Plotinus’ “Enneads” and Self-creation

Abstract

The present study surveys Plotinus’ philosophy within the context of self-creative activity. Owing to the fact that Plotinus’ philosophy provides for a deep understanding of self-becoming in harmony with cosmic forces, I have examined the Plotinus notion of Soul and Intellect as well as explored such concepts, suggested by A.-T. Tymieniecka, as ontopoiesis, Logos of life and self-becoming. The article is divided into two parts:

• In the first part I have tried to interpret the views by Plotinus, concerning the picture of Cosmos, and characterize his three Hypostases, namely, One, the Intellectual Principle, Soul and individual Souls. The question to be answered in the given passage, is the following: How independent and free is self-creative activity, taking into account that Soul rises and moves in the emanation of One, subsists as Hypostasis and is permeated by Logos?

• In the second part I have surveyed self-creation and self-becoming within the context of fluxing wholeness, art and Cosmos. I have tried to show the differences and similarities between the philosophy which develops on the basis of phenomenological standpoints and Plotinus’ cosmology which is rooted in the ancient understanding of Cosmos. I hold that self-creation is not only directed intentionally, but rather shows the place of the human in the world.