Neoplatonism — The One, Emanation, and the Return of the Soul
Plotinus's Neoplatonism is the closest Western philosophy comes to Advaita Vedānta: the One (to Hen) is beyond being and thought, and all reality proceeds from it by emanation through the hypostases of Nous (intellect) and Soul. Individual souls that have forgotten their source return to the One through philosophical contemplation and mystical union (henosis). Whether this resemblance reflects historical contact between Alexandria and India — or independent philosophical convergence — is one of comparative philosophy's most fascinating open questions.
The One: beyond being and thought
Plotinus's One is utterly simple — no parts, no predicates, no self-knowledge (self-knowledge implies a knower and a known, hence duality). It is beyond being (since 'being' implies a determinate nature) and beyond thought (since thought requires a distinction between thinker and thought). It generates reality not by choice or intention but by necessity — as a candle cannot help giving light.
Compare Śaṅkara's nirguṇa Brahman: without qualities (nirguṇa), without parts, beyond thought (anirvacanīya). The Mandukya Upaniṣad's turīya — the fourth state, the ground of the other three — is structurally identical to Plotinus's One as the ground of Nous, Soul, and Matter.
Foundational concepts
Key thinkers
Enneads — the most systematic Western non-dualist philosopher
The One is perfect because it seeks nothing, has nothing, needs nothing.
Systematised Neoplatonism into its most complete philosophical form
All things are in all things, but in each according to its proper nature.
In dialogue with
Primary sources
Enneads
The foundational Neoplatonic text — six sets of nine treatises on the One, Nous, and Soul.
Neoplatonism and Indian Thought
The key comparative study examining historical and philosophical parallels.
Sources are drawn from indexed primary texts and traditional commentarial literature.
Related traditions