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CONTEMPLATION in III, 8.

María de los Ángeles González

CONTEMPLATION in III, 8(30).

MARÍA DE LOS ANGELES GONZALEZ

ABSTRACT

Plotinus’ hermeneutics proposal about contemplation shows two moments in this enneadic

work: a moment downwards θεωρία as the innate ability of all beings that not only seek but

also take part in the One, and a moment upwards as fullness of vision of the One shown in

the word ψις  (González; 2014). This means that for this philosopher, the paradigm of

contemplation acquires its peculiar perspectives in his writings (Vázquez Ortiz; 2009),

since it is associated with the ontological possibility for all beings to receive according to

the ability of the One (García Bazán; 1981). In fact, they are able to contemplate that the

first principle of this metaphysical system, the One, exists in everyone. In consonance with

this Neo-Platonist Master, his new conception of contemplation is an ontological possibility

for all beings that come from the One-Well and it is not reserved only to human beings as

Aristotle thought.

In this analysis of the enneadic work we will study different levels of contemplation based

in the text III, 8, 1 (Igal; 1982). The fact that there are different levels of contemplation is

unanimously accepted by Plotinous’ work specialists. We have considered that the levels or

degrees of contemplation must be observed according to the hypostatic order in which both

Plotinous’ thought and work is organized (González; 2014). This implies that the levels or

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CONTEMPLATION in III, 8.

María de los Ángeles González

degrees of “contemplation-vision” are proportional to the ontological possibility that every

being has, specially plants and animals. Moreover, in the hypostasis Soul and Mind as well

as in human beings, this degree depends on the consciousness of the presence of the One at

the upward moment of conversion to the hypostasis, especially in the wise man who owns

“inner vision”.  The relationship between the wise man and contemplation deserves a

particular processing as the wise man (σπουδα  ος) is in contact with the three hypostasis.

This possibility turns the σπουδα  ος  into a privileged witness of the integral experience of

Unity. In the ascending line, we will analyze the fullest degree which is ψις ρσα that

belongs to Mind as it is ontologically close to its source. We can state that this presence of

the One-Good in all beings subordinated to this level is possible because everyone has the

possibility to contemplate it according to its ontological level “by nostalgia for its father”.