The Way of the Lonely Ones

[sdi]

But, if unification is in itself good, and all good tends to create unity, then the Good unqualified and the One unqualified merge in a single principle, a principle which makes things one and in doing so makes them good. Hence it is that things which in some fashion have fallen away from their good are at the same stroke deprived of participation of unity; and in like manner things which have lost their portion in unity, being infected with division, are deprived of their good.

(Proclus, Elements of Theology XIII (excerpt), as translated by E. R. Dodds)

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If unity is goodness, why on earth would you pay any attention to the multitude?

Comments

On "earth," indeed...

[boccaderlupo]

Salient question, and I suspect this is where Iamblichus's apparent divergence from Plotinus may come into sharper relief. It's my belief that we can't but help pay attention to the teeming things, particularly when we are in the "descent mode" (procession), where things appear as multiplicity and division (Dis-integration...we're all naturally polytheists, that is). It's only when we begin to follow that thread back to its source, and take the first few steps on the journey of return, that the underlying Unity, Being and The Good, begins to reveal Itself.

Axé

Re: On "earth," indeed...

[sdi]

Excellent! Yes, that's exactly what Porphyry says, too.

Re: On "earth," indeed...

[sdi]

Actually, you know what? Plotinus says the exact same thing in Enneads I ii (which Porphyry was summarizing in Sentences XXXIV). Plotinus is more or less saying that the civic virtues are what bring you to philosophy, and philosophy is what brings you to divinity. So you gotta crawl before you walk, but Plotinus gives that brief treatment since he's busily working on flying.

[sdi]

101 Zen Stories LXXVII says, "Some things, though right, were considered wrong for generations. Since the value of righteousness may be recognized after centuries, there is no need to crave an immediate appreciation."

The multitude has foolish value judgements. Put your trust in Divinity.