Plotinus was a 3rd-century philosopher from Roman Egypt. He is considered the founder of Neo-Platonism.
Philosopher taught in Alexandria, and was influenced by Plato, Aristotle and Stoicism. His philosophy has been described as a synthesis of Platonism and Pythagoreanism.
In fact, Plotinus’ philosophy is based on Plato’s theory of Forms or ideas (Platonic Idealism). Plato believed that there are forms (or ideas) which exist outside of our physical reality and they are eternal, unchanging, and perfect. Plotinus believed that all matter originates from an original transcendent principle (the One) which contains the potential for all creation. In this sense, Plotinus believed in the existence of a single transcendent reality beneath the many gods and material objects that we perceive in our world. The physical world is then merely an illusion created by this one reality – hence why he is sometimes called a Gnostic mystic.
The Greek concept of nous (mind) was central to Plotinus’ system. Nous acts as a mediator between individual souls and the One: it allows them to perceive the world through their mind’s eye (or “intellect”). The soul becomes unified with the One through contemplation – however Plotinus believed this could only occur after death since during life our minds are clouded by matter and limited perception.
