Plotinos: Complete Works, V. 3in Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods

Not narrative fiction but rather a deep exploration of metaphysical ideas, reflecting on the essence of reality and existence. The opening of this volume delves into the concepts of unity and manifoldness, posing questions about the nature of distance from unity and the potential evils inherent in multiplicity. Plotinus begins by asserting that manifoldness signifies a departure from unity, suggesting that true greatness lies in the ability to remain true to one's essence rather than expanding outward into complexity. He explores the implications of these ideas for the nature of infinity and numerical existence, arguing that the true essence of numbers exists in an intelligible realm rather than as mere constructs of the physical world. This philosophical inquiry sets the foundation for a broader discussion on the relationship between essence, intelligence, and the creation of the universe in subsequent sections.