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Ennead II.8 [35]: On sight, or how distant objects appear small — Plotinus

Written work

Ennead II.8 [35]: On sight, or how distant objects appear small

Πῶς τὰ πόρρω ὁρώμενα μικρὰ φαίνεται

Cabeza de mármol identificada con Plotino (Ostia, inv. 436)
byPlotinus

A short treatise on optics: distant objects appear small not because the visual angle diminishes but because sight ceases to grasp their parts and colours, and with them their magnitude. It discusses the geometers' explanation by the visual angle and finds it insufficient.

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Authorship note

An authentic treatise by Plotinus, no. 35 in Porphyry's chronological order (Life of Plotinus 4–6), second period (treatises 22–45, written during Porphyry's stay, 263–268). The title and the placement in Ennead II are Porphyry's.

Editions and translations

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English

  • Plotinus II: Ennead II (Loeb Classical Library 441) — Plotinus

    Plotinus II: Ennead II (Loeb Classical Library 441)

    Harvard University Press, 1966

    Translation: A. H. Armstrong

    ISBN 9780674994867

    Bilingüe griego-inglés.

  • Ennead II.8 (MacKenna)

    Medici Society; Wikisource, 1921

    Translation: Stephen MacKenna

    Dominio público (MacKenna murió en 1934).

Español

  • Porfirio, Vida de Plotino; Plotino, Enéadas I–II — Plotinus

    Porfirio, Vida de Plotino; Plotino, Enéadas I–II

    Gredos (Biblioteca Clásica Gredos, 57), 1982

    Translation: Jesús Igal

    ISBN 9788424908607

    Introducciones, traducción y notas.

Other works by Plotinus

Sources

  • Porfirio. Vida de Plotino y orden de sus libros (Περὶ τοῦ Πλωτίνου βίου καὶ τῆς τάξεως τῶν βιβλίων αὐτοῦ). Texto griego en la ed. de R. Volkmann (Teubner, 1883), en Wikisource en griego; trad. inglesa de Stephen MacKenna (1917), en Wikisource en inglés.

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