Synopsis
This edition of the Complete Works of Plotinus was the first full English translation of all Enneads. The translation follows in the footsteps of previous Platonists, such as Ficinus and Taylor, and builds on Dr. Guthrie's translations and explanations of Plotinus's master Numenius, the Pythagorean texts, the works of Proclus, etc. Dr. Guthrie's translation includes several major features that are not found elsewhere, including: 1) a reorganization of the books of the Enneads into chronological order, displaying 4 progressive stages of development; 2) a comprehensive concordance of terms and ideas; 3) an examination of Plotinic philosophy’s origin, development, and destiny. The present translation “is the best for him who wishes to understand Plotinus, because it is the only edition that unscrambles, chronologically, Plotinus’s 4 progressive stages of development from Porphyry’s frightful hodgepodge of 9 medleys. . . . It is the most faithful version, because Dr. Guthrie's sole object was to focus the labors of the best students, Marsilius Ficinus, Mueller, Drews, Bouillet, Chaignet, Taylor, and others; but one only thing he does claim, that he has not knowingly left any obscurity. Otherwise he glories in this subservience to all the best that had been done before him, and for himself he claims nothing but the unappreciated production of what nobody else would do, and the critical discovery of Plotinus’s progress.”—K. S. GUTHRIE
About the Author
Kenneth Sylvan Guthrie (1871-1940) was a philosopher and prolific writer. He was well educated (Ph.D's from Tulane, Harvard and Columbia), but spent most of his life laboring on translations, commentary and original writings which he published himself. Among his most valuable translations/writings are his "Pythagorean Source-book and Library", "The Complete Works of Plotinus", The minor works of Proclus, "Numenius of Apamea: the father of neo-Platonism", "The Hymns of Zoroaster", "The Popul Vuh", and "The Gospel of Apollonius of Tynana". -- "But the very unusual breadth of his conflicting interests checkmated his career, so far as worldly advancement. Little understood or recognized, he had to find consolation in earning his living honestly by teaching a language to children, by pouring out his religious experiences to the few who visited his semi-deserted East Side church, and in putting the accumulated results of his studies in such shape that, to the greater glory of God, they may be of service to humanity."-Guthrie, from a short autobiography.
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