[VI]. Intermediate position of the soul between the principles of unity and division, [302]—Combination of the Aristotelian Nous with the Platonic Ideas, 303—Difficulties to which it gave rise, [304]—Unity and plurality in the Ideas and in the Nous, [304]—Descent of the soul into the material world, [305]—The triad of body, soul, and spirit, [307]—Search for a supreme principle of existence: data furnished by Plato and Aristotle, [307]—The unity of all souls, [309]—Universal dependence of existence on unity, [310]—Method for arriving at the One, [310]—To what extent Plotinus can be called a mystic, [312]—Mystical elements in the systems of his predecessors, [313].
[VII]. Retrospect and recapitulation, [315]—Transition to the constructive philosophy of Plotinus, [317]—Three aspects of the supreme principle, [317]—Creative power of the One, [318]—Influence of false physical analogies on metaphysics, 319—Inconceivability of causation apart from time, [320]—Subjective nature of logical and mathematical sequence, [321]—The Neo-Platonic method in the Christian creeds, [322]—How Plotinus employed the method of generation by contraries, [322]—Difficulty of explaining the derivation of Soul from Nous, [323]—and of accounting for the existence of Matter, [323]—Return to the Platonic identification of Matter with Extension, [326]—Generation of the Infinite from the One, [327]—Hesitation of Plotinus between monism and dualism, [328]—Influence of Stoicism, [329]—Substitution of contemplation for action as a creative principle, 330.
[VIII]. The ethics of Plotinus: derivation of the cardinal virtues, [331]—Absence of asceticism, [332]—Condemnation of suicide, [332]—Similar view expressed by Schopenhauer, [333]—Dialectic as a method for attaining perfection, 333—The later writings of Plotinus, [334].
[IX]. Four points of view from which every great philosophical system may be considered, [334]—Inferiority of Neo-Platonism to the older schools of Greek thought in absolute value, [335]—Deserved neglect into which it has fallen, [336]—In combining the metaphysics of Plato and Aristotle with Stoicism, Plotinus eliminates the elements of truth and utility which they severally contain, [336]—High aesthetic value of Neo-Platonism, [338]—Purity and unworldliness of Plotinus, [339]—Complete self-absorption of thought which he represents, [340].
[X]. Neo-Platonism not a product of Oriental tendencies, [341]—Nor of the religious revival of the empire, [342]—Nor a mystical reaction against Scepticism, 343—Independent attitude of Plotinus towards the old religion, [344]—His views on immortality, [345]—His relation to pantheism, [346]—His attack on the Gnostics, 347—Plotinus on the relation between religion and morality, [348]—Neo-Platonism a part of the great classical revival, [349].
[XI]. The place of Plotinus in the history of philosophy, [350]—The triumph of spiritualism due to his teaching, [350]—He secures the supremacy of Plato and Aristotle during the Middle Ages, [351]—His interpretation of Plato universally accepted until a recent date, [352]—The pantheistic direction of modern metaphysics largely determined by Plotinus, [353]—Neo-Platonic derivation of the Unknowable, [353]—Atavism in philosophy, [355].
[XII]. History of Neo-Platonism after Plotinus, [355]—Its alliance with the old religion, [356]—Continued vitality of polytheism, [357]—Increased study of the classic philosophers, [358]—Proclus and his system, [358]—The schools of Athens closed by Justinian, [360]—The Greek professors in Persia, [361]—Final extinction of pagan philosophy, [362].
GREEK PHILOSOPHY AND MODERN THOUGHTpages 363-430
[I]. Continuity in the history of thought, [363]—The triumph of spiritualism followed by a breach between the two spiritualistic schools, [364]—Importance of the Realistic controversy, [365]—Why Realism was at first favoured by the Church, 366—Revolution effected by the introduction of Aristotle’s complete works into the West, [367]—Platonic reaction of the Renaissance, [368]—Its influence on literature, [369]—Shakspeare a Platonist, [370]—Renewed ascendency of Aristotle in science, [371].