Plotinus Ennead IV.8: On the Descent of the Soul into by Barrie Fleet PAPERBACK

Plotinus Ennead IV.8On the Descent of the Soul Into Bodies\nAuthor(s): Barrie Fleet\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: Parmenides Publishing, United States\nImprint: Parmenides Publishing\nISBN-13: 9781930972773, 978-1930972773\nSynopsis\nPlotinus was much exercised by Plato's doctrines of the soul. In this treatise, at chapter 1 line 27, he talks of \""the divine Plato, who has said in many places in his works many noble things about the soul and its arrival here, so that we can hope for some clarity from him. So what does the philosopher say? It is clear that he does not always speak with sufficient consistency for us to make out his intentions with any ease.\"" The issue in this treatise is one that has puzzled students of Plato from ancient to modern timesand is indeed a popular topic for undergraduate essays even today: Why should the philosopher, who has ascended through a long and painful process of dialectic to \""assimilation to the divine,\"" ever descend back into the body? Plotin.