Aristotle and Plotinus on the Intellect

Monism and Dualism Revisited

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Mind & Body
Cover of the book Aristotle and Plotinus on the Intellect by Mark J. Nyvlt, Lexington Books
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Author: Mark J. Nyvlt ISBN: 9780739167762
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: December 16, 2011
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Mark J. Nyvlt
ISBN: 9780739167762
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: December 16, 2011
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

This book emphasizes that Aristotle was aware of the philosophical attempt to subordinate divine Intellect (nou:V) to a prior and absolute principle. Nyvlt argues that Aristotle transforms the Platonic doctrine of Ideal Numbers into an astronomical account of the unmoved movers, which function as the multiple intelligible content of divine Intellect. Thus, within Aristotle we have in germ the Plotinian doctrine that the intelligibles are within the Intellect. While the content of divine Intellect is multiple, it does not imply that divine Intellect possesses a degree of potentiality, given that potentiality entails otherness and contraries. Rather, the very content of divine Intellect is itself; it is Thought Thinking Itself (ν?ησις νο?σεως ν?ησις). The pure activity of divine Intellect, moreover, allows for divine Intellect to know the world, and the acquisition of this knowledge does not infect divine Intellect with potentiality. The status of the intelligible object(s) within divine Intellect is pure activity that is identical with divine Intellect itself, as T. De Koninck and H. Seidl have argued. Therefore, the intelligible objects within divine Intellect are not separate entities that determine divine Intellect, as is the case in Plotinus.

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This book emphasizes that Aristotle was aware of the philosophical attempt to subordinate divine Intellect (nou:V) to a prior and absolute principle. Nyvlt argues that Aristotle transforms the Platonic doctrine of Ideal Numbers into an astronomical account of the unmoved movers, which function as the multiple intelligible content of divine Intellect. Thus, within Aristotle we have in germ the Plotinian doctrine that the intelligibles are within the Intellect. While the content of divine Intellect is multiple, it does not imply that divine Intellect possesses a degree of potentiality, given that potentiality entails otherness and contraries. Rather, the very content of divine Intellect is itself; it is Thought Thinking Itself (ν?ησις νο?σεως ν?ησις). The pure activity of divine Intellect, moreover, allows for divine Intellect to know the world, and the acquisition of this knowledge does not infect divine Intellect with potentiality. The status of the intelligible object(s) within divine Intellect is pure activity that is identical with divine Intellect itself, as T. De Koninck and H. Seidl have argued. Therefore, the intelligible objects within divine Intellect are not separate entities that determine divine Intellect, as is the case in Plotinus.

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