Forms and generation
How the eternal Forms in intellect differ from the rational forms (λόγοι) at work in nature, and which of them makes a body. From Plato's Phaedo and Parmenides and Aristotle's objection that separated Forms cannot explain generation, through Syrianus and Plotinus's nature that makes by contemplating, to Proclus on which things have Forms, Avicenna's giver of forms, and Aquinas's rejection of it.
step i of x
Aristotle, Metaphysics met.1.9.991a8Plotinus, Enneads enn.3.8.2
answered
The objection Plotinus's nature answers: separated Forms cannot explain generation.
Open the page: Ennead III.8 [30], On Nature and Contemplation and the One, chapter 2 →
step ii of x
Aristotle, Metaphysics met.1.9.991a8Syrianus, In Metaphysica syr.120.3
expounded
Syrianus answers the objection where Aristotle repeats it, at M.5 1079b12-1080a8.
Open the page: Ennead III.8 [30], On Nature and Contemplation and the One, chapter 2 →
step iii of x
Plotinus, Enneads enn.3.8.4Proclus, Elements of Theology el.56
reused without naming
Elements 56-57, on what the prior causes give beyond the secondary; the Liber de causis takes up the same doctrine in its first proposition.
Open the page: Ennead III.8 [30], On Nature and Contemplation and the One, chapter 4 →
step iv of x
Plotinus, EnneadsProclus, In Parmenidem
compared
In Parmenidem III, on which things have Forms, including the things art makes.
No page for this step yet.
step v of x
Plotinus, EnneadsProclus, In Euclidem
compared
The prologue, on mathematicals as intermediates rather than natural causes.
No page for this step yet.
step vi of x
Plotinus, Enneads enn.3.8.2Plotinus, Enneads enn.6.7.11
compared
The rational form that makes in nature (III.8) has a living first plant and a first earth before it (VI.7): the two tiers, Forms and rational forms, in Plotinus's own words.
step vii of x
Plotinus, Enneads enn.6.7.11Plotinus, Enneads enn.6.7.13
compared
The Forms are not static patterns but a living intellect that 'wanders every wandering' and remains.
step viii of x
Plotinus, Enneads enn.4.3.23Syrianus, In Metaphysica syr.120.3
compared
Fitness (ἐπιτηδειότης): the instrument's fitness decides which power of soul it receives, as matter's fitness decides whether it can receive the Idea. The tradition's word for the point where a receiver meets what it receives.
Open the page: Ennead IV.3 [27], Problems of Soul I, chapter 23 →
step ix of x
Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā), Opera (Latin), incl. Liber de philosophia primaThomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Prima Pars st.1.65.4
answered
Aquinas names Avicenna's forms-in-the-intelligences and answers with Aristotle: what comes to be is the composite.
Open the page: Ennead III.8 [30], On Nature and Contemplation and the One, chapter 2 →
step x of x
Plotinus, Enneads enn.6.7.11Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, Prima Pars st.1.115.1
answered
Fire made by a fire-making soul (Plotinus) against fire made by fire through contact (Aquinas).