Plotinus, an ancient philosopher who founded Neoplatonism, conceived of "The One" as the ultimate principle of reality. This concept stands at the pinnacle of his metaphysical system. When Plotinus says "The One is both immanent and transcendent," he is encapsulating a profound and nuanced view of the nature of the first principle of existence.
Immanence, in philosophical and theological contexts, refers to the presence of a divine power or the essence of a certain reality within the material world. It's the idea that the divine is present and active within the fabric of the physical and material universe. For Plotinus, this means that "The One" is not an absent or distant creator. Instead, it is a pervasive presence within all that exists. This presence is not physical or spatial, but rather metaphysical, providing the foundational reality from which all things emanate.
Transcendence, on the other hand, suggests that this principle goes beyond the physical universe, surpassing the limitations of time and space. It is untouchable by the changing and perishable nature of the world as we experience it. For "The One" to be transcendent means it is beyond all forms of existence that we can perceive or conceive. It does not possess attributes that can be clearly defined, because it is beyond all forms of categorization.
Plotinus's philosophy suggests that "The One" is the source from which all reality emanates or flows. It is the cause of everything, yet it itself is uncaused. It is the absolute simplicity that cannot be divided or described because any description would imply complexity. Therefore, "The One" in Plotinus's thought is beyond being, as being itself is considered a form of complexity.
The unity of immanence and transcendence in "The One" resolves the seeming paradox of how a foundational principle can be both intimately connected with the universe and utterly beyond it. This unity also serves as a basis for the inner longing for a mystical or philosophical union with "The One," which is a key goal in the spiritual and philosophical practice of Neoplatonism.
In summary, Plotinus's statement reflects a sophisticated vision of the first principle of reality. It communicates that "The One" permeates all things without being confined to any, it underpins and transcends the cosmos, and it is both the ineffable cause of all and the inward reality of everything. This concept has had a significant influence on subsequent religious and metaphysical thought, reverberating through the works of later philosophers and theologians who grappled with the relationship between the divine and the world.
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