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Passages similar to: The Six Enneads — On Dialectic
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Neoplatonic
The Six Enneads
On Dialectic (6)
Philosophy has other provinces, but Dialectic is its precious part: in its study of the laws of the universe, Philosophy draws on Dialectic much as other studies and crafts use Arithmetic, though, of course, the alliance between Philosophy and Dialectic is closer. And in Morals, too, Philosophy uses Dialectic: by Dialectic it comes to contemplation, though it originates of itself the moral state or rather the discipline from which the moral state develops. Our reasoning faculties employ the data of Dialectic almost as their proper possession for they are mainly concerned about Matter . And while the other virtues bring the reason to bear upon particular experiences and acts, the virtue of Wisdom is a certain super-reasoning much closer to the Universal; for it deals with correspondence and sequence, the choice of time for action and inaction, the adoption of this course, the rejection of that other: Wisdom and Dialectic have the task of presenting all things as Universals and stripped of matter for treatment by the Understanding. But can these inferior kinds of virtue exist without Dialectic and philosophy? Yes- but imperfectly, inadequately. And is it possible to be a Sage, Master in Dialectic, without these lower virtues? It would not happen: the lower will spring either before or together with the higher. And it is likely that everyone normally possesses the natural virtues from which, when Wisdom steps in, the perfected virtue develops. After the natural virtues, then, Wisdom and, so the perfecting of the moral nature. Once the natural virtues exist, both orders, the natural and the higher, ripen side by side to their final excellence: or as the one advances it carries forward the other towards perfection. But, ever, the natural virtue is imperfect in vision and in strength- and to both orders of virtue the essential matter is from what principles we derive them.
Neoplatonic
FROM THEAGES, IN HIS TREATISE ON THE VIRTUES. (1)
The principles of all virtue are three; knowledge, power, and deliberate choice. And knowledge indeed, is that by which we contemplate and form a...
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Christian Mysticism
Chapter XXVIII: The Fourfold Division of the Mosaic Law. (1)
The Mosaic philosophy is accordingly divided into four parts, - into the historic, and that which is specially called the legislative, which two...
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Greek
Book VI (511)
I understand, he said, that you are speaking of the province of geometry and the sister arts. And when I speak of the other division of the...
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Greek
Book VII (539)
He cannot. And from being a keeper of the law he is converted into a breaker of it? Unquestionably. Now all this is very natural in students of philos...
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Christian Mysticism
Chapter IX: The Connection of the Christian Virtues. (7)
As, then, the virtues follow one another, why need I say what has been demonstrated already, that faith hopes through repentance, and fear through...
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Greek
Book VII (534)
As far as I understand, he said, I agree. And do you also agree, I said, in describing the dialectician as one who attains a conception of the...
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Greek
Book VII (534)
Yes, he said, you and I together will make it. Dialectic, then, as you will agree, is the coping-stone of the sciences, and is set over them; no...
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Neoplatonic
FROM THEAGES, IN HIS TREATISE ON THE VIRTUES. (1)
The order of the soul subsists in such a way, that one part of it is the reasoning power, another is anger, and another is desire. And the reasoning...
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Neoplatonic
FROM THEAGES, IN HIS TREATISE ON THE VIRTUES. (3)
Since however, the virtue of manners is conversant with the passions, but of the passions pleasure and pain are supreme, it is evident that virtue...
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Neoplatonic
FROM METOPUS, IN HIS TREATISE CONCERNING VIRTUE. (1)
The virtue of man is the perfection of the nature of man. For every being becomes perfect, and arrives at the summit of excellence according to the...
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Christian Mysticism
Chapter XVII: Philosophy Conveys Only An Imperfect Knowledge of God. (24)
And it is given either in order that men may become good, or that those who are so may make use of their natural advantages. For it co-operates both i...
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Neoplatonic
FROM THEAGES, IN HIS TREATISE ON THE VIRTUES. (2)
Since, however, of the parts of the soul, one is the leader, but the other follows, and the virtues and the vices subsist about these, and in these;...
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Christian Mysticism
Chapter XVII: Philosophy Conveys Only An Imperfect Knowledge of God. (26)
Philosophy is not, then, the product of vice, since it makes men virtuous; it follows, then, that it is the work of God, whose work it is solely to...
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Christian Mysticism
Chapter XX: In What Respect Philosophy Contributes to the Comprehension of Divine Truth. (2)
Although at one time philosophy justified the Greeks, not conducting them to that entire righteousness to which it is ascertained to cooperate, as...
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Greek
Book VI (498)
At present, I said, the students of philosophy are quite young; beginning when they are hardly past childhood, they devote only the time saved from...
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Greek
Book VI (484)
Truly, he replied, they are much in that condition. And shall they be our guardians when there are others who, besides being their equals in experienc...
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Neoplatonic
FROM THEAGES, IN HIS TREATISE ON THE VIRTUES. (5)
Universally therefore, virtue is a certain co-adaptation of the irrational parts of the soul to the rational part. Virtue however, is produced...
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Neoplatonic
FROM ARCHYTAS, IN HIS TREATISE ON THE GOOD AND HAPPY MAN. (1)
The prudent [i. e. the wise] man will especially become so as follows: In the first place, being naturally sagacious, possessing a good memory, and...
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Western Esoteric
Secret Teachings of All Ages
Conclusion (15)
The great philosophic institutions of the past must rise again, for these alone can tend the veil which divides the world of causes from that of...
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Christian Mysticism
Chapter XV: Different Degrees of Knowledge. (20)
Philosophy, accordingly, which proclaims a Providence, and the recompense of a life of felicity, and the punishment, on the other hand, of a life of m...
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