Plotinus’ doctrine of badness as matter in Ennead I.8 [51] 1

In this chapter Emilsson discusses Plotinus’ doctrine of badness as matter as it is presented in the treatise “What are and whence come evils” (Ennead I.8. [51]) in the light of Proclus’ and Jan Opsomer’s (2007) objections, which admittedly pose serious problems to it. It also addresses the question whether Plotinus can consistently hold matter to be the cause of badness for souls and that the soul is unaffected by the body and thereby by the presence of matter. On the whole the chapter aims at defending Plotinus’ position.