Single Idea 21821

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / f. Primary being]

Full Idea

The Platonic Parmenides is more exact [than Parmenides himself]; the distinction is made between the Primal One, a strictly pure Unity, and a secondary One which is a One-Many, and a third which is a One-and-Many.

Gist of Idea

Plato's Parmenides has a three-part theory, of Primal One, a One-Many, and a One-and-Many

Source

report of Plato (Parmenides [c.366 BCE]) by Plotinus - The Enneads 5.1.08

Book Reference

Plotinus: 'The Enneads', ed/tr. Mackenna,Stephen [Penguin 1991], p.357


A Reaction

Plotinus approves of this three-part theory. Parmenides has the problem that the highest Being contains no movement. By placing the One outside Being you can give it powers which an existent thing cannot have. Cf the concept of God.