The Essence of Plotinus is a book that features extracts from the Six Enneads and Porphyry's Life of Plotinus, which were written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plotinus and his disciple Porphyry. The book is compiled and translated by Stephen MacKenna, a renowned scholar of Plotinus' philosophy. The Six Enneads is a collection of writings by Plotinus that expound his philosophy of Neoplatonism, which emphasizes the existence of a single, transcendent reality that is beyond the physical world. The book covers various topics such as the nature of the soul, the relationship between the soul and the divine, and the process of spiritual purification. Porphyry's Life of Plotinus is a biography of Plotinus that provides insight into his life and teachings. The book includes anecdotes and personal accounts of Plotinus' interactions with his disciples and other philosophers of his time. The Essence of Plotinus is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the philosophy of Neoplatonism, as it provides a comprehensive overview of Plotinus' ideas and teachings. The book is written in a clear and concise style, making it accessible to both scholars and general readers alike.This is a new release of the original 1948 edition.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.