#CosmicWisdomGr • Plotinus • on Harmony

 

Plotinus • on Harmony

In Plotinus' philosophical system, the concept of harmony is intricately woven into the fabric of existence, reflecting a profound connection between ethics, aesthetics, and metaphysics. As he delves into the Enneads, his writings are filled with profound insights on the various dimensions of harmony.

 

ত Plotinus draws a line between virtue, beauty, and truth, emphasizing Plato's teaching of ethics, aesthetics, and metaphysics.

 

In the Enneads, he discusses the concept of harmony in relation to :
• the intelligible beauty & musical melody
• the Pythagorean doctrine of soul's harmony
• the universal harmony of the heavenly spheres
• the nature of the perceptible bodies
• the correlation between virtue & harmony

The intelligible beauty & musical melody

Plotinus opens a gateway to a world of beauty that transcends the physical. He directs our attention to the realm of the Forms, which exist in the higher echelons of existence, beyond the tangible world. These Forms represent the archetypal patterns and perfect representations of what we perceive in the physical realm. They embody the essence of beauty, and their source is none other than the Good, which serves as the ultimate wellspring of their beauty.

 

To Plotinus, the beauty of the Good lies in the unity it bestows upon all the Forms, creating a harmonious symphony of perfection. Just as a musical composition consists of harmonious melodies, the Forms' unity in the realm of Intellect forms a symphony of beauty that resonates through the universe.

The Pythagorean doctrine of soul's harmony

Plotinus was profoundly influenced by Pythagorean thought. Pythagoras, a renowned mathematician and philosopher, emphasized the idea of harmony in both the cosmos and the soul. Plotinus embraced this concept, and he extended it to his own philosophy, highlighting the soul's internal harmony as a fundamental aspect of the virtuous life.

The Universal harmony of the heavenly spheres

In a nod to the ancient belief in the music of the spheres, Plotinus saw the universe as a grand orchestra, with each celestial body contributing its own unique note to the cosmic symphony. This celestial harmony reflects the divine order and balance that govern the universe. It is through the study of these celestial harmonies that one can ascend from the sensory world to the realm of intelligible harmony.

The  nature of the perceptible bodies

Plotinus recognized that the physical world, while inherently imperfect, still bears traces of the beauty that emanates from the higher realms. This beauty, though distorted in the material world, serves as a reflection of the divine beauty that exists in the realm of the Forms.

The correlation between virtue & harmony

Plotinus' philosophy is deeply ethical, and he believed that the pursuit of virtue was intricately connected to the quest for harmony. The virtuous soul is one that seeks to align itself with the cosmic order and the divine harmony that permeates existence. Virtue, in this sense, is not just a set of moral principles but an intrinsic quality of one's character that leads to a harmonious existence.

References in Enneads :

In relation to intelligible beauty and music melody ~ I.3.1; I.6.3.28-29; I.9.7; II.9.40.16; V.9.11.10-11; VI.6.16.43-44; VI.7.6.3-5



In relation to the constitution of the perceptible bodies ~ IV.2.1; IV.3.24.19-20



In relation to the early Pythagorean doctrine of soul's harmony ~ IV.7.84



In relation to the universal harmony of the heavenly sphere in relation to cosmic sympathy and the harmonious concordance of opposites ~ II.3.12.32; III.2.15-17; IV.4.8.57, 35.12 and 41.6



In relation to the correlation between virtue and harmony ~ III.6.2.1-22

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According to Plotinus, beauty is not limited to physical objects but extends to the Forms recognized by Intellect. The Forms are eternal and exist in a hierarchy of beautiful objects above the physical, culminating in the Forms themselves.

The source of beauty is the Good, which is also the source of the Forms' beauty . The beauty of the Good consists in the virtual unity of all the Forms .

He believed that the universe is a harmonious whole, with each part contributing to the overall balance and order . He saw the universe as a reflection of the Good, which is the ultimate source of harmony and unity.

 

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 In particular, Plotinus emphasizes that the perception of harmonies and rhythms could lead up to the grasp of intelligible harmony. His ethical theory underlines his conception of virtue as an intrinsic quality of human character and also underlies Plotinus’ conception of excellence that derives from the soul’s purity in the contemplation of the Forms.

ত He viewed ethics according to the criterion of what contributes to our identification with our higher selves and what contributes to our separation from that identification. All virtuous practices make a positive contribution to this goal, but virtues can be graded according to how they do this.

 

The Intellect contains the divine archetypal Forms.
 

The Soul serves as a mediator between the higher and lower realms, ensuring that harmony is maintained.

 

The virtuous soul noetically ascends
to the divine realm of Nous,
the world of true goodness,
intelligence, and beauty.

 The purified soul becomes both
form and forming principle.

 

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Wrap up to Farewell...

Plotinus presents a profound and intricate philosophy that weaves the harmony of the soul into the very fabric of existence. He demonstrates that the pursuit of beauty, ethics, and metaphysics are not separate endeavors but are interconnected facets of a harmonious life.

By contemplating the beauty of the Forms, ascending through the virtues, and aligning with the cosmic order, the soul can achieve a state of profound harmony, ultimately uniting with the divine realm of Nous, the world of true goodness, intelligence, and beauty.

This harmonious journey towards the higher self is at the core of Plotinus' philosophical teachings and continues to inspire seekers of wisdom to this day.

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#CosmicWisdomGr • Plotinus

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Related #CWGR Articles :

Proclus - on Universe Harmony & Methexis

Pythagoras - on Harmony of Spheres

Available readings on Bookshelf :

Enneads - Plotinus (by Porphyry)

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