Plotinus · Philosophy

Emanation: The One, Mind, and Soul

Plotinus’ vision of all reality flowing out from the One in a great hierarchy - first the Divine Mind (<em>Nous</em>, which contains the Forms), then Soul, then the material world - by a necessary overflow that diminishes the source not at all, like light streaming from the sun.

What you'll be able to recall

You learned that for Plotinus all reality emanates (flows out) from the One in a descending hierarchy: from the One comes the Divine Mind (Nous, the realm of being and the Forms), from Nous comes Soul, and from Soul the material world - each level a less perfect, more multiple image of the one above, produced by overf…

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