Plotinus • on Symmetry, Beauty, and Unity
The concept of symmetry which the ancients dealt with has little to do with our present ideas of mirror symmetry or rotational symmetry. We would call anything symmetrical which shows a structure that can be rendered as ABBA, or ABCBA, etc. – independent of the mutual relationships between A, B and C.
What the ancients meant by symmetrical is what we would now call modular, or, in different contexts, commensurable. Mathematical foundations of criteria for beauty, as we know them from Antiquity and from the Renaissance, are guided by this sense of symmetry.
Many of these texts, even if they refer to art, show that symmetry was not first of all thought of as a criterion for artistic quality. They do not deal with prescriptions for representation or expression, but rather with the ontology of the object.
Ideally, the object itself is supposed to be symmetrical,
and that is the reason why that symmetry must also appear from the depiction.
and that is the reason why that symmetry must also appear from the depiction.
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Plato does not consider symmetry as a property of measurable objects only.
In his assessment of ‘the good’ in Philebus, he mentions symmetry between beauty and truth as one of the three aspects that constitute the good. And Timaeus says: ‘Now all the good is beautiful, and the beautiful is not without measure; therefore a living being, in order to be considered beautiful, must also be symmetrical’ (Plato, Timaeus 87c).
ত Plotinus, as a Neoplatonist, in his work the "Enneads" explores the concept of cosmic harmony as a fundamental aspect of his philosophy. It is rooted in the hierarchical emanation of reality from the One, with symmetry, proportion, and unity as key principles.
This metaphysical system not only influenced later Neoplatonists but also had a lasting impact on Western philosophy, mysticism, and theology, particularly in discussions of the nature of reality and the human quest for spiritual and intellectual ascent toward the divine.
ত Symmetry and Proportion
Within the cosmic harmony, there is an emphasis on symmetry and proportion. Plotinus considered the natural world to be a reflection of the divine order, with perfect symmetry and proportion found in the most elevated aspects of reality. These principles were also applied to aesthetics, where beauty was seen as a reflection of the divine harmony.
Plotinus is searching for the source of what strikes the observer as beautiful – and that, he believes, is a far cry from symmetry. He investigates the ontological status of the object and passes judgment on symmetry as a non-material source of visible beauty.
He believed that simple things could not be beautiful if
symmetry was the only component of beauty.
Symmetry
is neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for beauty.
It is not
necessary because many of the things we would unhesitatingly appreciate
as being beautiful do not consist of parts, so there is simply nothing
that might be ordered symmetrically.
These are no futile matters: gold, sunlight, a simple sound, but also the virtues of the soul, behavior, and character.
Moreover, he believed that if something is beautiful, it must be composed
of beautiful parts, and if the parts are not symmetrical in themselves,
then they could not be beautiful.
In Plotinus' Enneads, the concept of harmony is mainly discussed
in relation to intelligible beauty and musical melody, the Pythagorean
doctrine of soul's harmony, the universal harmony of the heavenly
spheres, the nature of the perceptible bodies and the correlation
between virtue and harmony.
It is suggested that Plotinus' harmonia is not only found in
musical harmony and the concordance of opposites but also to the virtue
of justice as the harmonious concordance of the soul's different parts.
ত Unity of All
One of Plotinus' key ideas is that everything is interconnected and part of a unified cosmic system.
The Intellect contains the divine archetypal Forms, and the Soul serves
as a mediator between the higher and lower realms, ensuring that harmony
is maintained.
In the Enneads, he emphasized the philosophical goal of achieving union with the One.
This spiritual journey involves transcending the material world and ascending through the levels of reality, ultimately returning to the source of all harmony and goodness.
This spiritual journey involves transcending the material world and ascending through the levels of reality, ultimately returning to the source of all harmony and goodness.
This return to the One is seen as the ultimate fulfillment and unity of the soul.
Plotinus believed that inner harmony and divinity could be achieved through virtue.
He argued that the wise soul aims to become godlike, that is, to ascend through virtue to the higher intelligible realm of Intellect and become a divine Nous.
He argued that the wise soul aims to become godlike, that is, to ascend through virtue to the higher intelligible realm of Intellect and become a divine Nous.
Additionally, he believed that harmony is not only found in musical harmony and the concordance of opposites but also in the virtue of justice as the harmonious concordance of the soul’s different parts.
Every virtue is purification, and the purified soul becomes
both form and forming principle.
both form and forming principle.
The virtuous soul noetically ascends without body to the divine realm of Nous, the world of true goodness, intelligence, and beauty. Therefore, to achieve inner harmony and reach divinity, one must practice virtue and aim to become godlike.
ত The perfectly virtuous soul of the wise is self-sufficient, ascends purified to the intelligible world and so likens itself to Intellect’s divine and eternal eudaimonia (I 4.4).
However, Plotinus clarifies that the meaning of likeness (homoiosis) in the wise and good person is not the likeness of two pictures in perceptible terms but the intelligible likeness of the soul to the divine model of Nous different from our perceptible self (I 2.7.28-31). Hence, the soul of the wise man, purely concentrated on the divine realm, is not affected either by the sufferings or the misfortunes of the animated body (I 4.5-8).
For Plotinus, well-being (eudaimonia) is achieved through the noetic ascent of the soul and in contemplation (theoria) of true being in the intelligible realm of Nous.
The real virtue of the wise is to be aware of the perfection, self-sufficiency, and completeness of Intellect, the intelligible reality where the soul is truly purified beyond discursive reason and consciousness (I 4.3.34-41).
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Wrap up to Farewell...
Plotinus delved into the profound concepts of symmetry, beauty, and unity.
While ancient ideas of symmetry differ from modern notions, they emphasized what we now call modularity or commensurability.
While ancient ideas of symmetry differ from modern notions, they emphasized what we now call modularity or commensurability.
Symmetry was integral to the ontology of objects, and an ideally symmetrical object would manifest its symmetry in its depiction. However, Plotinus argued that symmetry alone wasn't sufficient for beauty, as it wasn't always necessary and could not apply to non-material aspects of beauty like virtues and character.
Within Plotinus' cosmic harmony, symmetry and proportion played a role in reflecting the divine order, influencing aesthetics and the perception of beauty. However, his philosophy expanded beyond symmetry, highlighting the importance of unity and interconnectedness in the pursuit of the divine.
Within Plotinus' cosmic harmony, symmetry and proportion played a role in reflecting the divine order, influencing aesthetics and the perception of beauty. However, his philosophy expanded beyond symmetry, highlighting the importance of unity and interconnectedness in the pursuit of the divine.
Plotinus believed that the ultimate goal was achieving union with the One through the ascent of the soul, emphasizing the role of virtue in this spiritual journey. He considered the harmonious concordance of the soul's different parts, not just symmetry, as crucial for reaching divinity and true eudaimonia, transcending the material world to return to the source of all harmony and goodness.
Available readings on Bookshelf :
Enneads - Plotinus (by Porphyry)
Meditate with Plotinus' Enneads,
Embark, as a self, to a Soul transformative Journey
delve into the Essence of Universal Truths,
explore the Nature of the Soul,
and meet Virtues & Vices,
Noetically travel the cosmic trails of Plotinus
and further cultivate your Spirit via the path of Intellect.
Meditate on and Contemplate with,
concepts & theories, symbols & archetypes.
concepts & theories, symbols & archetypes.
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