Aristotle and Plotinus on being and unity

349 Pages·1999·16.31 MB·English

by  Geoffrey Scott Bowe

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ARISTOTLE AND PLOTINUS ON BEING AND UNITY
BY
GEOFFREY SCOTT BOWE, B.A(HONS), M.A.
A Thesis
Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies
in Partial Fuifilment of the Requirements
for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
McMaster University
O Copyright by Geoffrey Scott Bowe, September 1997
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ARISTOTLE AND PLOTINUS ON BEING AND UNITY
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (1997) McMaster University
( Philosophy) Hamilton, Ontario
TITLE: Aristotle and Plotinus on ~ e h gan d Unity
BUSHOR: Geoffrey Scott Bowe, B.A. (Hons) (Mernorial University
of Newfoundland), M.A. (University of Windsor)
SUPERVISOR: Dr. S. Panagiotou
Number of pages: vi, 339
DEDICATION
For my parents, who taught me, and continue to teach me about
kindness, decency, hard work, and respect. Wi thou t their
support 1 could not have done this. Without their love it
means no thing.
iii
This dissertation discusses how being and unity are
related in the metaphysical systems of Aristotle and Plotinus.
1 suggest that Aristotle's metaphysical position contrasts
with what I cal1 the Platonic metaphysical hierarchy, a
general trend io Platonism to place being in a dependent
relationship to unity, and particular things in a dependent
relationship to being. Aristotle, by contrast, sees being and
unity as dependent on particulars. Understanding Aristotle
against the backdrop of the Platonic metaphysical hierarchy is
of some assistance in understanding his critique of Plato, and
his own position in the Metaphysics regarding substance,
cosmology and first principles. Aristotle's Unmoved Mover is
substance par excellence, and stands as an exemplary cause for
the First Moved Mover, guaranteeing the motion necessary for
the generation of other particulars, but it does not provide
them with being and unity. This is because being and unity are
dependent on, and logically posterior to, particulars. 1 also
examine some of the difficulties in Aristotlets system which
Plotinus takes up in the Enneads. Plotinus, in trying to
remain true to his understanding Platonism, rejects
Aristoteiianism, and posits instead, a revised version of the
Platonic metaphysical hierarchy. In addition to examining
Plotinus' critique of Aristotle, 1 examine some of Plotinus'
O ther influences. These include Parmenides, Plato, Albinus and
Numenius, :n order to provide some grounding in understanding
Plotinus' own philosophy. I conclude with an examination of
Plotinus' metaphysics that shows Fts consistency with the
general direction of Platonism, if in a different. hypostatic
system. Plotinus' first principle, the One, is a synergy of
negative and positive theology, grounded in the belief that
being and thinking are extensionally the same in his second
principle, Nous. That being and thinking are multiple
necessitates the positing of a principle of unity which is
'EmKELva t q o~u oitr~", (beyond being) a phrase which Plotinus
takes over from Platois Republic in the service of his own
philosophy .
1 gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and
guidance of my supervisor, Dr. Spiro Panagioutou, without
whose patience and help the preparation of this thesis would
not have been possible. My second reader, Professor Brian
Calvert from the University of Guelph provided knowledgeable
and insightful comments on drafts of the thesis which were
invaluable. 1 am also greatly indebted to Dr. Constantine
Georgiadis, whose kindness and willingness to take up the
position of third yeader late in the production of the thesis
were extremely generous. In addition, Dr. David Hitchcock's
comments on the first half of the thesis were remarkably
astute and detailed, and 1 am very grateful for his advice.
The reference staff at Robarts Library at the University of
Toronto was also extremely helpful. 1 should also thank Dr.
Wil Waluchow, Philosophy Department Head, for other
assistances rendered. A special note of thanks is owed to Mr.
Brian Hendrix, who provided logistical support while 1 was in
South Korea.
TABIIE: OF CONTENTS
~ntroduction
PART 1 - ARISTOTLE
1 - The Platonic Metaphysical Hierarchy
II - Being and Unity
III - Movers
IV - Theology or Ontology
-
PART II PLOTINWS
~ntroduction to Plotinus
v - Plato and Parmenides
VI - Developments in Platonism
VI1 - Aristotle
-
VI11 "AxiornsMo f Unity
IX - Unity