Plotinus as a kind of deep ecologist?

Abstract

This paper examines the extent to which the cosmology presented in the Enneads can support an environmental philosophy that would be of contemporary interest. Four major features of the deep ecology position of Arne Naess are identified. Comparable features in the position elaborated by Plotinus are identified. It is argued that, although the dominant interest of Plotinus was the educational ascent of the soul to nous and the One, his cosmology has an evaluative depth and grounding that can be used to support significant environmental principles that are importantly comparable to deep ecology and of interest to contemporary thinking about the environment.