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Eliasson 2008 Notes
Eliasson 2008 Notes
III.1.
Summary
o Argues against some conceptions of fate
Epicurean (all things caused by atoms) (ch. 3.)
Stoic/Platonizing stoic (all things are caused by the world-soul) (ch. 4.)
Astrologers (all things caused by the starts) (ch. 5-6.)
Stoic (All things caused by the universal chain of causation) (ch. 7.)
Own view (ch. 8-10.)
o (ch.7.)
Stoic theory of universal causation
If the theory is true, the eph’hemin will only be a word.
o Assumption: something actually depends on every agent
in an equal manner..
o (ch. 9.)
Plotinus’ own view
When the soul desires with its own pure and untroubled reason
ruling it, only then this desire and impulse is eph’hemin
Restriction: some types of desires are eph’hemin, others are
not.
Question (1)
o Something that depends equally on all agents
o But maybe only wise men are capable of such desires.
Question (2)
o Eph’hemin and hekusios.
o (Ch. 10.)
When wise men act it depends on them to do the noble actions.
Notion adapted to specific subjectss.
Conceivable: may depedend on certain (wise) agents; but not
on other types of agents (everyone else)
VI.6 On numbers
The generation of the number is not in the power of the numberer, but is alrealdy
limited and stands fast.
VI.8.
I.4.
(Ch. 7.)
o It depends on them depart…
If they stay, it’s either reasonble
Or if they stay unreasonably, it’s their own fault.
III.2.
(Ch. 10.)
o The motion of the cosmos is not such that nothing would depend on us.
There is a sense in which humans are principles too.
Contexts
Hellenistic debates about the compatibility of the Stoic doctrine of fate and the
common notion of eph’hemin.
3 Significant features of the account of eph’hemin in VI.8.
(1) the scope of investigation
o Humans
o Intellect and one
Will have consequences in the way he applies it to humans
(2) Criticism of Aristotelian notion
(3) Applicability of the notion
o Stronger conditions
o Inner – outer; proper
o Chrysippus, Seneca, Epictutus analysis of the passions as externally
determine
Interpretations
III.1.7.;
All causes have one and the same principle;
Everything is necessary
All things are within fate; and have one sole principle
o What is lacking? – Existence of other causes
Eph’ hemin
o Problem
(1) They way we act depends entirely on external factors
Phantasia hormé
o We need to contribute somehow inclusive view
(2) having an impulse os not enough
Animals, babies, madmen, fire (?) – also have impulses
o They are enslaved to their constitution
A certain kind of contribution is required
exclusive view
Reference to rationality?
Ch. 8.
Individual soul: the additional cause that is lacking in the universal chain of
causation view
o It is a próturgosz aitia
o Otside the body: free, master of itself, outside of the cosmic cause;
o Even in the body: it can govern some things rather than being governed by
them
But: the better soul has power over more
Ch. 9.
Plotinus’ view of eph’hemin
o Subject-specific restriction
Only some impluses are eph’hemin
But these depend equally on all of us
However, maybe only the wise are capable of having such impulses
Ch. 10.
6.2. Eph’ hemin in VI.8 (pp. 187 ff)