Author Description
In this volume, Kieran McGroarty provides a philosophical commentary on a section of the Enneads written by the last great Neoplatonist thinker, Plotinus. The treatise is entitled "Concerning Well-Being" and was written at a late stage in Plotinus' life when he was suffering from an illness that was shortly to kill him. Its main concern is with the good man and how he should pursue the good life. The treatise is therefore central to our understanding of Plotinus' ethical theory, and the commentary seeks to explicate and elucidate that theory. Plotinus' views on how one should live in order to fulfill oneself as a human being are as relevant now as they were in the third century AD. All Greek and Latin is translated, while short summaries introducing the content of each chapter help to make Plotinus' argument clear even to the non-specialist.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the core question of how a virtuous individual can attain well-being, or eudaimonia, even amidst physical suffering and external adversity. Kieran McGroarty, a scholar of ancient philosophy, provides a rigorous examination of Plotinus' treatise 'Concerning Well-Being' from Ennead I.4. By contextualizing the work within the final years of Plotinus' life, the author constructs a framework that bridges the gap between ancient metaphysical ethics and contemporary existential concerns regarding the nature of the good life.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A detailed philosophical commentary on the specific text of Ennead I.4.
- An analysis of the relationship between physical health and moral fulfillment in Neoplatonic thought.
- English translations of all original Greek and Latin source material.
- Chapter-by-chapter summaries designed to clarify complex arguments for non-specialist readers.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of ancient philosophy recognize this work as a vital resource for accessing the ethical dimensions of Plotinus' late-stage thought. The text is frequently cited for its success in balancing academic rigor with accessibility, making it a foundational guide for those exploring the intersection of virtue and human suffering in the Neoplatonic tradition.
Page Count:
260
Publication Date:
2006-11-30
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0199287120
ISBN-13:
9780199287123
Philosophy
Ethics
Neoplatonism
Community Tags
Similar Books
