The Problem of Evil in Plotinus (Classic Reprint)

Hook line : A clear, accessible guide to Plotinus’s ideas on emanation, evil, and the soul’s place in a perfect universe.

Plotinus on Evil explains how ancient thinkers shaped the problem of evil and how Plotinus tries to reconcile natural goods with metaphysical ideals. This edition surveys the main arguments about emanation, mind, soul, and the universe, showing how a monistic system can include both moral and physical evil without surrendering to them. It provides a framework for understanding how ancient thought has influenced later debates in theology and philosophy.

• Learn how emanation is used to connect the One to Mind, Soul, and the universe without making God the author of evil
• See how Plotinus distinguishes natural perfection from moral perfection and why both matter
• Explore comparisons with Stoicism, mysticism, and early religion to frame the problem of evil
• Follow the discussion of physical and moral evil and the role of the world in moral life

Ideal for readers of philosophy, ancient thought, and ethics who want a clear map of Plotinus’s approach to evil, perfection, and the structure of reality.

This highly readable 1912 volume explores the complications surrounding the idea of evil in the works of Plotinus (204-270 BC), the ancient Greek philosopher regarded as the founder of Neoplatonism. The focus is the reconciliation of an omnipotent deity with the existence of an apparently contingent and imperfect world.