The Phaedrus and the Life of Plotinus

Theodore Sabo

doi:10.18573/j.2014.10322

Abstract

A perusal of Plato’s dialogue the Phaedrus sheds much light on Porphyry’s Vita Plotini. The similarities between the two works are impressive, and it can be argued that Porphyry wrote his text with the dialogue in mind. These similarities include their use of medicine, their structural disunity, and their cast of characters, among which must be included the impalpable but pervasive entity the supernatural. Two of the key themes of the Phaedrus—communication and the godlikeness of the pre-fallen soul—also inform the present discussion of the Vita. Plotinus had difficulty with both spoken and written communication, but his godlikeness allowed him to triumph over them.

Highlights

In the conclusion to Plotinus’ Enneads as his disciple Porphyry has arranged them the philosopher writes, “This is the life of gods and godlike and blessed men.”[2]. This reminds one of such references to likeness to God as we encounter in the Platonic dialogues, especially in the Phaedrus
In its central section Plato writes, “This is the life of gods,” and he goes on to speak of the souls that are most like them
In this paper the impact of Plato’s dialogue the Phaedrus on Porphyry’s hagiographical biography of his master was detected partly through their use of medicine and their structural disunity. In both works medicine, which concerns the sublunary entity the body, was shown to be wanting. Their disunity may reflect the Platonic privileging of philosophy over art despite Plato’s one-time advice to Xenocrates to sacrifice to the Muses.[108]

Summary

Medicine and Disunity

There are many similarities between the two works which for reasons of space cannot all be inquired into. 19 Another disciple, the senator Rogatianus, spurned politics and embraced asceticism which cured him of his gout to the extent that he could use his hands normally whereas previously he had been unable to stretch them out and had to be carried in a chair.[20] Even before his final illness Plotinus is said to have had poor eyesight.[21] His enemy Olympius, essentially a φαρμακεύς or sorcerer, is described, at the moment of his operation against his former fellow student, as having convulsed limbs and a shriveling body.[22] Plotinus diagnoses and prescribes a remedy for Porphyry’s depression.[23] In both the dialogue and the life φαρμακεία and medicine are brought up short. Did Porphyry deliberately wrench the Vita out of unity in order to emulate the Lysias and Plato of the Phaedrus?35 By contrast Marinus’ account of his master is a straightforward biography, and Damascius’ Vita Isidori is largely chronological albeit with lengthy digressions on the protagonist’s friends and acquaintances, a fact which Damascius himself draws our attention to with some concern.[36]

Dramatis Personae

Conclusion