Plotinus creates a hierarchical cosmology that unites in the One. Humans (frontier beings) descend instantaneously from the One and strive to unite back with the One by avoiding Matter and Evil. He converses at great length about problems of evil, discusses beauty, and creates a unique and complex cosmology.

An interesting read and not as "profoundly wrong," as one may think and has some valid points. Although I agree that Plotinus errs with the concept of preserving identity, he does make a terrific argument. ( )

Interesting, but profoundly wrong. For Plotinus: Beauty is Intelligence is Perfection is God is the Good.

While exhibiting depth and some implication, the work is still best classified, in my opinion, as Platonic fluff. It falls into the class of philosophy starting with huge leaps about mystical concepts, followed by giant defining assumptions. It is beautiful, sensuous writing but to no worthy end. In "Descent" we are shown the possible alternatives to explain the free, lasting soul, descending into the limited, terminal body. My critique is best summarized by the introduction's point of highlighting an "unusually positive view of Matter." In "On the Good, the One," Plotinus combines Aristotelian unity with Platonic metaphysics. We are shown that unity is good because it neither seeks nor needs to be anything else. He also references Aristotle positively for considering every possible state but then not for considering probability. ( )