Egyptian-Roman philosopher who founded Neoplatonism — a systematic development of Plato synthesizing Aristotelian and Stoic elements — and whose Enneads describe an emanationist metaphysics culminating in mystical union with the One.
The One (beyond being and thought), Nous (Intellect), and Soul are the three hypostases that emanate from the One like light from the sun. The soul descends into matter but can ascend through philosophical contemplation to union with the One — an experience beyond thought and being.
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