Hegel and Plotinus: Spirit as self-conscious Nous
Date
2025
Authors
Subin, Luka
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Volume Title
Publisher
University Of Victoria
Abstract
This project examines the interrelation between Plotinus' concept of Nous and Hegel's concept of Spirit. Both play a creative role in their respective cosmologies, giving rise to the material world through their relationship with the first principles (generative substances) of reality. Both ultimately seek to cognize these principles and, in so doing, create, maintain, and shape material reality. Unlike Plotinus' Nous, which is entirely separate from its first principle and has no ability to consciously reflect on its own existence as a human might, Spirit is self-conscious and capable of fully reconciling Itself with the first principle, completing the process of understanding and self-realization within the cosmos.
Description
Keywords
Hegel, Plotinus, metaphysics, cosmology, neoplatonism, Hegelianism