Τελεία ζωή. La nozione di Vita in Plotino

The notion of "life" assumes in the thought of Plotinus a centrai role: it is not possible, in fact, understand the construction of the metaphysical system of Plotinus, apart from the analysis the meaning that the term takes in the single contexts. Despite the Neoplatonic philosopher devotes much space to the analysis and formulation of the concept of life, nevertheless such concept remains somewhat problematico It is not simple, in fact: 1. define life itself; 2. understand where lies in its real meaning; 3. see the relationship that it entertains with the various hypostases. The Neoplatonic philosopher, in the elaboration of the thought on life, was influenced by Platonic and Aristotelian metaphysics, in measure as life is considered selfmotion and activity. The essence of the living being is described as a set of activities, which assume different functions depending on the diversity of its member, but which together they contribute to the maintenance of the whole life (Enn. III 3 (48), 5, 3-5). The concept of life can relate, in different ways, both to the Intellect and Soul; it coincides with the eternity and time, and also presides the theory concerning the generation of living organisms. The Neoplatonic philosopher, therefore, uses the notion of life not only in metaphysical sense, i.e. to define the essence of Mind and Soul, but also in a biological context, i.e. to describe the constitutive aspects of the being. This job proceeds, then, to the analysis of the notion of life in thought of Plotinus, with an adeguate scientific methodology, that appeals to the tools of the philology and philosophical historiography, in order to understand, in first pIace, the meaning of the term life, with the aim of giving a definition; secondly, to trace its characters, analyzing all the different contexts that it delimits. .. [edited by Author]