Conceptual affinities between Plotinus and Nicholas of Cusa

Abstract

Twelve centuries separate to Plotinus from Nicholas of Cusa. There are twelve centuries and several developments and philosophical intricacies occurred during a period both rich and troubled. However, one tradition includes both thinkers in the same line of thought, the first as its starting point, the second, perhaps, as its culmination. In this regard, I will try to establish which aspects of the thought of Plotinus persist in Nicholas of Cusa so that we can legitimately try to understand why and in what sense these two philosophers can both be called "Neoplatonists". In this paper, then, I will contend that both ways of conceiving reality can be understood as complementary –without neglecting, however, the various differences that subsist among them–. Certainly, Plotinus and Nicholas of Cusa differ in certain doctrinal issues that can be considered relevant enough to deny the possibility of thinking of them as members of the same tradition. Moreover, to these differences one add that nothing indicates that Nicholas has had any contact whatsoever with Plotinus’ works. In fact, the Neoplatonic influence on his thought is more likely to be attributed to authors like Proclus and Dionysius. On account of these reasons, it is not possible to ground the analysis in terms of a direct textual influence, the inquiry will rather be formulated in terms of "schools of thought". Indeed, Plotinus and Nicholas of Cusa have thought about similar questions and have provided, each in their own way and in their own time, possible answers in some cases parallel, something that allow us to undertake a comparative study