Pierre Hadot: Plotinus or The Simplicity of Vision

Translated by Michael Chase     With an Introduction by Arnold I. Davidson

University of Chicago Press, 1993     Amazon.com

Publisher’s Presentation:

Since its original publication in France in 1963, Pierre Hadot’s lively philosophical portrait of Plotinus remains the preeminent introduction to the man and his thought. Presented here is Michael Chase’s lucid translation – complete with a useful chronology and analytical bibliography.

Hadot carefully examines Plotinus’ views on the self, existence, love, virtue, gentlenes, and solitude. He shows that Plotinus, like other philosophers of his day, believed that Plato and Aristotle had already articulated the essential truths; for him, the purpose of philosophy was not to profess new truths but to help achieve a personal experience of the Eternal.

Blurbs:

“Without doubt this is the best introduction to the personal and spiritual side of Plotinian philosophy.”  John Bussanich, International Journal of the Classical Tradition

“The significance of Hadot’s book is that it reflects simply, effectively, and brieflty upon some of the most important questions in Plotinus’ complex and difficult writings, and succeeds in revealing…the accessibility of Plotinus’ thought.”  K. Corrigan, Ancient Philosophy

“The book’s great strength lies in the soundness of Hadot’s interpretation, which dispels many common misreadings.”  Eric D. Perl, Review of Metaphysics

“Anyone interested in late Roman philosophy should read this book. It is a delight.”  Edgar M. Krentz, Religious Studies Review

About the Author:

Pierre Hadot is professor emeritus of History of Hellenistic and Roman Thought at the Collège de France.

Arnold I. Davidson is professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago.

Michael Chase has studied under Pierre Hadot in Paris, lectured in the Department of Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, and conducted research at the University of California, King’s College in the University of London, and the National Centre of Scientific Research in Paris.

JOB’s Comment:

I advertise this English translation of Hadot’s beautiful early book on Plotinus because of the excellent introduction by Davidson. As Bussanich says, the book is an introduction to the “personal and spiritual side” of Plotinus’ philosophy, i.e., the emphasis is Hadot’s usual one of the central “spiritual exercise” element of ancient philosophy. Other introductions to Plotinus are preferable for those who are more interested in metaphysical exposition, but such students should not miss the dimension of spiritual practice stressed by Hadot in this and all of his other works.