Plotinus on Consciousness
D.M. Hutchinson, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018
Description
Plotinus is the first Greek philosopher to hold a systematic theory of consciousness. The key feature of his theory is that it involves multiple layers of experience: different layers of consciousness occur in different levels of self. This layering of higher modes of consciousness on lower ones provides human beings with a rich experiential world, and enables human beings to draw on their own experience to investigate their true self and the nature of reality. This involves a robust notion of subjectivity. However, it is a notion of subjectivity that is unique to Plotinus, and remarkably different from the Post-Cartesian tradition. Behind the plurality of terms Plotinus uses to express consciousness, and behind the plurality of entities to which Plotinus attributes consciousness (such as the divine souls and the hypostases), lies a theory of human consciousness. It is a Platonist theory shaped by engagement with rival schools of ancient thought. Argues that the concept of consciousness existed in the ancient world and can be disentangled from Descartes and the Post-Cartesian tradition; Proposes a new interpretation of Plotinus’ philosophy of mind; Examines Plotinus’ theory of consciousness in dialogue with Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics
(Text from the publisher)
Table of contents
Acknowledgments
Notes on the Text
Introduction
Chapter 1 – Self
Chapter 2 – Conciousness Terms
Chapter 3 – First Layer : the soul-trace
Chapter 4 – Second Layer : the lower soul
Chapter 5 – Third Layer : the higher soul
Chapter 6 – Self-Determination
Chapter 7 – Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
General Index
Index Locorum
Link