Ennead 11.5: On What Is Potentially and What Actually is the sixth volume in the Enneads of Plotinus Series, a series of translations and commentaries documented in order to disseminate the teachings of Plotinus. It is meant for readers seeking to explore the philosophical issues of Plotinus’ teachings and arguments. Each volume contains summaries of his arguments in the structure of the original treatise, as well as a philosophical commentary meant to expose the philosophical meaning of the text. This particular volume begins by grappling with the following questions: What is potential and actual being? Is actual being identical to activity? Is there potential being among intelligible realities? Annotation ©2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
The significance of the notions of actuality and potentiality in Plotinus’ thought can hardly be overstated. Throughout the Enneads, they are crucial to understanding the specific causality of intelligible realities and the relation of participation between intelligible and sensible realms.
In Ennead II.5, Plotinus for the first time provides a systematic clarification of his peculiar use of these terms, through a sustained revision of Aristotle’s own elaboration of the topic and of his terminology. The treatise discusses the different meanings of potentiality and actuality as well as the way each of them applies or does not apply to the sensible realm, to the intelligible realm, and to matter.
The term dunamis (potentiality) entered into the philosophical vocabulary with Plato, but it was with Aristotle that it acquired, together with energeia (actuality), the strong technical meaning that the two terms have maintained, with variations, throughout subsequent philosophical tradition.
The significance of the notions of actuality and potentiality in Plotinus’ thought can hardly be overstated. Throughout the Enneads, they are crucial to understanding the specific causality of intelligible realities and the relation of participation between intelligible and sensible realms.
In Ennead II.5, Plotinus for the first time provides a systematic clarification of his peculiar use of these terms, through a sustained revision of Aristotle’s own elaboration of the topic and of his terminology. The treatise discusses the different meanings of potentiality and actuality as well as the way each of them applies or does not apply to the sensible realm, to the intelligible realm, and to matter.
While the structure of the text unfolds in a coherent and cohesive manner, Plotinus’ writing in this treatise is dense and at times dry in its technicality. The detailed commentary guides the reader step by step, making an otherwise particularly difficult text accessible.
Arvustused
This text is difficult due to Plotinus dense style. Based on the inclusion of important research in recent years, such as that of Narbonne and Kalligas, and on the authors own contributions, Cinzia Arruzzas new English translation is an improvement compared with the older ones. And her clear commentary not only sheds light upon the difficult text, but also offers innovative investigation of and answers to the controversial problems in this treatise"". - Bryn Mawr Classical Review
Cinzia Arruzza is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research, in New York City, USA. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and subsequently studied at the Universities of Fribourg (Switzerland) and Bonn (Germany). She has a special interest in ancient metaphysics and political philosophy, with a particular focus on Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, and Patristic thought. She is the author of Les Mésaventures de la théodicée. Plotin, Origène et Grégoire de Nysse (Turnhout: Brepols Publishers, 2011).
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