Abstract
In a recent article' Mr. H. J. Blumenthal argued that Plotinus held inconsistent views about forms of individuals. He claims that no clear answer can be given to the question Did Plotinus believe in such forms? because there are passages where their existence is affirmed and others where it is denied. Nor can we suppose that Plotinus changed his mind, for no pattern of development can be discerned. Perhaps, though this is unlikely, he changed his mind several times, since affirmations and denials alternate. Further, it is argued, neither the positive nor the negative texts can be explained away or dismissed as inauthentic. Hence we are left with a very grave inconsistency. It is clear that, if this is the case, a major revision of our interpretation of Plotinus is in order since he has always been understood as positing such forms. However, I do not think that Blumenthal has succeeded in showing that there is a real inconsistency and I wish to defend the traditional interpretation by examining the controversial texts together with Blumenthal's comments.
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