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Beauty In Plotinus's First Ennead, On Beauty

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In Plotinus’s first ennead, On Beauty, he attempts to define the true meaning of and discover the origin of beauty. What exactly is the source of beauty? How is it that such different things can all be considered to be beautiful? What is it that makes a human being beautiful, and how is it defined? Through an analysis of past claims of understanding beauty, Plotinus offers up his own unique view on what exactly, if anything, defines it. Plotinus first calls attention to the diversity among things that are considered beautiful. Sound can have beauty, within rhythms and songs, while actions, knowledge, and practices can also contain a certain beauty. These things vary vastly, so how is it possible that they all can be beautiful? What is beauty, …show more content…
I am inclined to agree more with his perception of beauty rather than Plato’s. I do not think beauty comes from proportions. I do not know where beauty comes from, but Plotinus’s idea that it comes from form is one that I am able to make sense of. Things are seen as beautiful when they hold form, or purpose. The gold, lightning, and stars mentioned by Plotinus during this argument are perfect examples of this claim, as well as his thoughts on beautiful knowledge and actions. These things are considered to be, but do not fit into Plato’s characterization of beauty. There must be another explanation, but whether it is Plotinus’s is up for interpretation. The concept I undoubtedly agree with is Plotinus’s view of beauty when it comes to human bodies. It is my opinion that those who struggle with negative body image would benefit from reading his thoughts. Not everyone sees beauty in the same people, and not everyone should. Souls which are meant to be connected will find beauty in each other, that’s inevitable. We shouldn’t concern ourselves with people who do not see beauty in us. Beauty is available to all those who are open to receiving it. Each and every thing with a soul is capable of being beautiful, but they need to learn how to channel

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