Plotinus in Dialogue with the Gnostics

Abstract

The studies here proposed, while each covering a different theme, share nonetheless a commonpoint which is absolutely central to all: they come to light when seen froma perspectivewhich, as Treatise reveals, stems from an anti-Gnostic position. Ever since R. Harder’s famous article,1 it has been the rule to think that what could be called “the Gnosticfile”or the “Gnosticdisagreement” actually occupied a clearly delimited space in the Plotinian corpus: treatises  to , whichhave since been commonly referred to asdie Großscrhift, 2 as if the controversy with the Gnostics,save for the oddmarginal scuffle, was simply themark of a single period, among other comparable periods, staked out over Plotinus’ intellectual career.