Plotinus Ennead II.5: On What Is Potentially and What Actually (The Enneads of Plotinus) - Softcover

“A splendid piece of scholarship, which successfully combines philological accuracy and philosophical ingenuity. Arruzza provides illuminating analyses of Plotinus’ metaphysical views against the wider background of Ancient philosophical theories. Her lucid translation and commentary of Ennead II.5 are an outstanding guide through this fascinating treatise. A must-read for all who are interested in Plotinus’ thought.” 
—Riccardo Chiaradonna, Associate Professor of Ancient Philosophy, Roma Tre University
 
“A careful and informative analysis of Plotinus’s discussion of post-Aristotelian conceptions of dunamis (power, potential, possibility) and their relevance to the One, to substantive realities, and ‘matter,’ which should also interest Aristotelian scholars and modern metaphysicians.”
—Stephen R. L. Clark, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, University of Liverpool
 
“Arruzza has written a lucid and thorough introduction, which accounts for the prehistory of the central notions and brings out Plotinus’ position very well. The translation seems very accurate and the commentary is a paradigm of clarity. This volume will be welcomed by students and scholars alike.”
—Eyjólfur K. Emilsson, Professor of Ancient Philosophy, University of Oslo
 
“Ennead II.5 [25] may not be as celebrated as III.8 [30] or VI.7 [38], yet it contains much of Plotinus’ genius and allows us a glimpse of his scholarly activities, as described by his editor Porphyry. Cinzia Arruzza’s precise translation and detailed, illuminating commentary provide the reader—experienced in Plotinus or not—with an invaluable work for the understanding of this dense treatise.”
—José C. Baracat Jr., Professor of Classics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
 
“Cinzia Arruzza’s commentary on treatise II.5 [25] provides a dense and very well-argued interpretation of the Plotinian theory of potentiality. Based on a careful translation and many subtle philological observations, Arruzza gives us a much better understanding of how Plotinus re-interprets the Aristotelian dunamis within a Platonist framework. The crucial achievement of the book is certainly that it sheds new light upon Plotinus’ view of the reality of sensible objects. A stimulating reading that will have a major impact on Plotinian scholarship.”
—Prof. Dr. Christoph Horn, Universität Bonn, Institut für Philosophie