Aristoteles und der Aristotelismus

This chapter provides an overview of Plotinus’ reception of Aristotle. Plotinus’ in-depth knowledge of Aristotle and his extensive integration of Aristotelian doctrines and vocabulary find no adequate parallel in the previous Platonist tradition and can be seen as characteristic features of his work. The chapter first focuses on the position of Aristotle and of the Peripatetic commentators within Plotinus’ teaching method, as outlined in Porphyry’s Life of Plotinus. The main philosophical issues in Plotinus’ reception of Aristotle are then outlined: the doctrine of energeia, psychology, the categories, bodies and matter (with special emphasis on Plotinus’ critical discussion of Aristotle’s hylomorphism), and ethics. Plotinus draws extensively on Aristotle and his philosophical vocabulary is thoroughly Aristotelian; nonetheless, Plotinus arguably maintains a generally critical attitude towards Aristotle.