Podcast Summary
Plotinus' response to the existence of evil: Plotinus viewed evil as a lack or privation of good, maintaining that it doesn't contradict the existence of a wholly good God, and contributing to his philosophy's organization and accessibility.
Plotinus, a major figure in Neoplatonism, offered a compelling response to the age-old question of how an all-powerful, loving God could exist in a world with evil. By considering evil as a lack or privation of good, rather than a separate entity, Plotinus argued that evil does not contradict the existence of a wholly good God. This perspective, rooted in the belief that the universe is ordered and harmonious, helps keep Plotinus' philosophy organized and accessible, serving as a "walk-in closet" for understanding his broader contributions to philosophy. Living during the crisis of the 3rd century AD, a time of chaos and disaster in the Roman Empire, Plotinus' response to this question offers a valuable lens through which to understand his philosophy and its relevance to the human condition.
Ancient philosophers grappled with fundamental questions about human existence and God: Ancient philosophers debated the nature of human existence, the role of God, and the relationship between body and mind during political and philosophical shifts.
During ancient times, people grappled with fundamental questions about the nature of human existence and the role of God in the world. One such question was how an all-powerful God could allow evil to exist. This question, and the larger philosophical inquiries of the time, were not simple or easily answered. People debated whether they were primarily their bodies or their minds, and what it meant to be a human being in a world undergoing political and philosophical shifts. Philosophy, as a discipline, was just beginning to take shape and was not yet defined in the way we understand it today. As we explore the history of philosophy, it's important to remember that these questions and debates were at the heart of intellectual inquiry in ancient societies.
Religion vs Philosophy: Different Approaches to Death: Religion frames death as an illusion and part of a divine plan, while philosophy encourages individuals to confront it objectively using human faculties
Philosophy and religion, despite addressing the same human fear of death and irreversibility, offer distinct solutions. According to Luke Farey in his book "A Brief History of Thought," religion posits that death is an illusion and that true existence begins or recommences in a higher realm after this life. It provides comfort by framing seemingly bad experiences as part of a divine plan. In contrast, philosophy, as per Farey, offers salvation without religion. It encourages individuals to view themselves objectively and confront the fear of death and irreversibility using only human faculties. Examples of this philosophical approach include the Epicurean belief that death is merely the cessation of existence for a collection of atoms. Both religion and philosophy provide relief from the human fear of death and irreversibility, but they do so through different lenses.
Focusing on external events is futile, understand surroundings through philosophy is crucial: Stoics and Buddhists emphasize the importance of focusing on philosophy rather than external events, as the latter are beyond our control. Understanding our surroundings through philosophy, including physics and metaphysics, helps us make informed decisions.
According to the Stoics and Buddhists, focusing on external events like potential harm or death is futile because they are beyond our control. Instead, understanding our surroundings through philosophy, including physics and metaphysics, is crucial for making informed decisions. While religion and philosophy share some similarities, they are distinct fields. Christianity, as a significant part of philosophy's history, will be explored through the lens of philosophers who examined its tenets. However, an episode solely dedicated to the founding of Christianity is not a good idea due to the uncertainty and controversy surrounding historical accounts. Instead, it's essential to acknowledge the significant surge in Christianity's popularity during this period, which reflected a shift in people's self-perception.
Shift in human perception of self-identity during 250 AD: People saw themselves as consciousnesses in bodies, longing for spiritual release, leading to the rise of Christianity and other systems for meaning and coping.
During the time of 250 AD, there was a shift in human perception about self-identity. People began to view themselves as consciousnesses controlling a physical body, rather than a soul tied to the body. This new perspective brought about a sense of confinement and longing for a higher, spiritual realm. As people grappled with this new understanding and the anxieties of life, various systems emerged to provide relief and coping mechanisms. Among these, Christianity gained popularity due to its personalized salvation and appeal to those worried about mortality. In essence, the period saw a search for meaning and escape from the perceived flaws of the physical world.
Plotinus's belief in true existence vs physical world: Plotinus believed in the distinction between true existence and the physical world, seeing the latter as inferior and temporary.
Plotinus, a renowned philosopher in ancient Greece, believed in the distinction between existence in the physical world and true existence. He was seen as a sage due to his transcendent knowledge and was believed to possess extraordinary powers. A famous story tells of a spell being cast on him, which bounced back onto the caster. Plotinus viewed the physical body as an inferior copy and saw no need for an image or statue to represent him, as it was just another layer of inferiority. When faced with the question of how a good and powerful god could allow evil to exist, Plotinus likely would have emphasized the impermanence and inferiority of the physical world, and the ultimate reality of true existence beyond it.
Evil as absence of goodness: Evil is not a substance or entity, but rather the absence or privation of goodness. Understanding evil in this way challenges our common perception and offers a unique perspective.
That according to Plotinus, evil or anything bad does not exist on its own, but is rather an absence or privation of goodness. This means that when we encounter bad things or evil acts in the world, we should not view them as the presence of evil, but rather as the absence or lack of goodness. For example, Lord Voldemort, who is often depicted as an embodiment of evil, still possesses certain good qualities, such as health and mobility, which allow him to carry out his evil deeds. Therefore, evil is not a substance or entity in itself, but rather the absence or privation of goodness. This perspective challenges our common understanding of evil and offers a unique way of thinking about the relationship between good and evil in the world.
Understanding Existence through Unity: Plotinus believes that the more unified something is, the more real it is, and encourages focusing on the higher realm of existence for true reality.
Learning from this discussion on Neo-Platonism, as expressed by Plotinus, is that everything in existence possesses a certain degree of unity to be considered a thing. This unity can vary, and the level of unity determines the reality and existence of that thing. For instance, a marching band is considered one entity due to its unity, while a clock has less unity as it is artificially created. Living beings, like dogs, have a greater amount of unity due to their inherent existence. The more unity something has, the more real it is, and Plotinus encourages us to focus on the higher realm of existence where our true reality lies, which is characterized by a greater degree of unity. This concept of unity is crucial in Plotinus's philosophy, known as the chain of being or hierarchy of being, which presents a hierarchical system of existence based on the degree of unity.
The true reality exists in the intellectual world: According to Plotinus, the true reality is in the intellectual world, where perfect forms of things exist, and unity or the one resides. Our souls inhabit physical bodies, which are reflections of the intellectual world.
According to Plotinus's philosophy, the world we experience is not the true reality. Instead, the true reality exists in the intellectual world, where perfect forms of the things we know exist. This intellectual world, or the second tier of the fountain, is where unity, or the one, resides. The physical world, or the third tier, is a reflection of the intellectual world, and our souls inhabit these physical bodies. Plotinus believed that true existence lies in the intellectual world, and the physical world is more like a shadow or reflection of it. The concept of the one, or unity, is beyond description and cannot be fully understood or expressed in words. It is the source of all reality and exists in the highest tier of the fountain. Understanding this hierarchy of reality can help us appreciate the importance of intellectual understanding and the limitations of the physical world.
Understanding the role of the soul in creating the physical world: Plotinus teaches that humans, as intellects, should turn away from the physical world towards the world of forms for spiritual growth, recognizing the hierarchy of being and the source of evil.
Learning from the philosophical perspective of Plotinus is that the soul's function is to create and organize the physical world by acting as a catalyst between the world of forms and the crude physical matter. Humans, according to Plotinus, are pure intellects with an individual soul. The ultimate goal for humans, as intellects, is to turn away from the physical world and towards the world of forms through contemplation and understanding. The world of forms is a unified being, and everything in it relies on something greater, the One or God. The physical world, being a diluted version of the world of forms, is the source of evil and bad things, which are merely absences of good. Understanding this hierarchy of being can help us grasp the existence of evil in a world governed by an all-powerful God.
Adversity shapes our growth as individuals: Adversity can lead to stronger convictions, priorities, and personal growth through the experiences and lessons learned
Adversity plays a significant role in shaping who we become as individuals. Our strongest convictions and priorities often result from challenging experiences that force us to reevaluate our perspectives. For instance, a person might dedicate their time to helping others after going through a personal tragedy, like a cancer survivor who volunteers to support those facing similar struggles. Reflecting on these experiences can help us understand how life's adversities have shaped our intellectual and emotional growth. So, consider the challenges you've faced and how they have influenced who you are today.
