The Ancient Neo-Platonist Attack on Gnosticism - Plotinus Against the Gnostics

While the attack on Gnosticism by the early church is well known, it is less appreciated that the pagan founder of Neo-Platonism Plotinus led a frontal assault on the gnostics in his famed Enneads as well. What were the philosophical, cosmological and moral objections Plotinus held against Gnosticism? In this episode, I explore a purely pagan set of criticisms to gnosticism. This episode is also a huge Neo-Platonism collaboration - check out the other episodes! Filip Holm @LetsTalkReligion : What is Neoplatonism? (followed by Neoplatonism and Islam): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZEUo_sHoBw Dr Angela Puca @drangelapuca : Plotinus and Iamblichus on Theurgy and Magic: https://youtu.be/lNqnNjsGExM Zevi Slavin @SeekersofUnity : From Neoplatonism to Kabbalah, A Mystical Journey: https://youtu.be/UmkZ383LcW8 Dr. Dan Attrell @TheModernHermeticist : The Platonic Philosophers' Creed by Thomas Taylor: https://youtu.be/Wzd98YSG6Hs Dr. John Vervaeke @johnvervaeke : Levels of Intelligibility: Neoplatonism & 4E Cognitive Science: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbk3lA6zCic Make Sure to Subscribe & Consider supporting Esoterica by becoming a monthly Patron - https://www.patreon.com/esotericachannel a one time donation - https://www.paypal.me/esotericachannel or the Super Thanks - Your support is profoundly appreciated! Recommended Reading: Burns - Apocalypse of the Alien God: Platonism and the Exile of Sethian Gnosticism - 978-0812245790