Plotinus studied in Alexandria and later taught philosophy in Rome, where he gathered a circle of students. His disciple Porphyry organized his writings into the Enneads. Plotinus reinterpreted Plato in a mystical vision in which everything proceeds from a supreme principle, the One, and he deeply influenced Christian, Jewish and Islamic thought.
Core ideas
Everything that exists emanates from a supreme and perfect principle, the One
Reality is hierarchical: from the One comes Intellect, and from it, Soul
The soul can return to the One through contemplation and purification
The tradition: Neoplatonist
A Neoplatonist renews Plato with a spiritual vision in which everything is born from a single source and returns to it. Plotinus is the founder of this current.
