Single Idea 21813

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / g. Particular being]

Full Idea

Number is the determinant of individual being.

Gist of Idea

Number determines individual being

Source

Plotinus (The Enneads [c.245], 5.1.05)

Book Reference

Plotinus: 'The Enneads', ed/tr. Mackenna,Stephen [Penguin 1991], p.352


A Reaction

You might have thought that number was the consequence of the individualities (or units) within being, but not so. You can't get more platonic than saying that the idealised numbers are the source of the particular units.