{"product_id":"plotinus-or-the-simplicity-of-vision-9780226311944","title":"Plotinus or the Simplicity of Vision","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe most penetrating and thorough account available of the work of ancient philosopher Plotinus  from the worlds leading expert on his thought  Pierre Hadots lively philosophical portrait of Plotinus is the preeminent introduction to the man and his thought. Michael Chases lucid translationcomplete with a useful chronology and analytical bibliographyat last makes this book available to the English-speaking world.  Hadot carefully examines Plotinuss views on the self  existence  love  virtue  gentleness  and solitude. He shows that Plotinus  like other philosophers of his day  believed that Plato and Aristotle had already articulated the essential truths; for him  the purpose of practicing philosophy was not to profess new truths but to engage in spiritual exercises so as to live philosophically. Seen in this light  Plotinuss counsel against fixation on the body and all earthly matters stemmed not from disgust or fear  but rather from his awareness of the negative effect that bodily preoccupation and material concern could have on spiritual exercises.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45666288402485,"sku":"ByrdShop_0226311945","price":37.02,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780226311944.jpg?v=1782427098","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/plotinus-or-the-simplicity-of-vision-9780226311944","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}