Plotinus ENNEAD V.5: That the Intelligibles are not External to the Intellect, and on the Good: Translation, with an Introduction, and Commentary (The Enneads of Plotinus)
"This book is a tour de force, taking one straight to the heart of a treatise at the core of Plotinus system through a translation of stunning fluency, backed by an insightful, authoritative and user-friendly commentary, and complemented by all the extras now expected of such translations. Gerson shows his incredible commitment to making Plotinus' philosophy better known and better appreciated by those who might not have expected to discover such treasures there." -- Harold Tarrant, University of Newcastle "Gerson focuses on a crucial section of the Enneads where Plotinus argues for the identity of Intellect and Intelligibles, explains how the One transcends Being, and the priority of The Good. This section is critical for understanding Plotinus' influence on subsequent metaphysical and theological thought. Gerson's translation is clear and readable, and his extensive commentary places Plotinus' arguments in the context of the philosophical traditions of his time." -- - Tony Preus, Binghamton University "Gersons translation and commentary on Ennead V.5 is an essential guide to one of Plotinus most important treatises. Students of Plotinus noetic theory should begin here." -- John Bussanich, University of New Mexico "Lloyd Gersons volume is a treasure find offering a perfect match between text and interpreter. Ennead V.5 addresses two of the principal questions of Plotinus metaphysics: how Intellect, the second underlying principle of existence, is identical with its objects, the intelligible beings; and how the One, the first underlying principle of existence, while a source of Intellect, is beyond Intellect and the intelligible. These questions are treated in the hands of Gerson, one of the most authoritative and original interpreters of Plotinus thought today, with erudition, analytical vigour, and contagious enthusiasm." -- Svetla Slaveva-Griffin, Florida State University "Gerson has produced an important contribution to Plotinian scholarship in general and to the still small number of commentaries on Plotinus in English in particular. His translation of the central Ennead V.5 is lucid without being unfaithful to the Greek original and his commentary offers the reader a wealth of explanation, which will both benefit the neophyte to the often obscure and difficult thought of Plotinus and stimulate the expert with instructive interpretations of the text." -- Dr Matthias Vorwerk, The Catholic University of America "In Ennead V.5 Plotinus articulates, with exceptional clarity and fullness, some of the most important and distinctive features of his philosophy. Here he sets out his most cogent arguments for the unity-in-duality of intellect and intelligible being, followed by one of the most complete explanations anywhere in the Enneads of why and in what sense the first principle, the One, must be beyond being. Hence it is gratifying to find that this treatise, translated and with a commentary by such an outstanding scholar as Lloyd Gerson, is among the first to appear in the new publication of the Enneads from Parmenides Publishing." -- Eric Perl, Loyola Marymount University "The concept of this series is unique in English: there is no other treatise-by-treatise annotated translation series of Plotinus' writings accessible to non-specialists. The commentary is less detailed and technical than that of the volumes in the French Cerf series inaugurated by Pierre Hadot, but more comprehensive than the notes of the translation, also French, edited by Luc Brisson and Jean-Francois Pradeau.5 The editors have judged well the balance between readability and the need for serious exegesis, and Gerson has maintained a high standard for future contributors to the series to emulate. The book is elegantly produced: compact and durable, it can be puzzled over comfortably in the train or in the air. Parmenides Publishing is to be congratulated." - Gerard O'Daly, University of London, Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2014.01.43