Abstract

The central argument of this dissertation is that Plotinus' philosophical vision has the breadth, facility and fecundity to encompass the ground upon which our current post-metaphysical philosophical discourse is based, while preserving the essential tenets of traditional metaphysics. I believe that a careful rereading of the Enneads provides contemporary philosophy with the tools necessary to resolve the internal problemization of its own writing, while preserving language's proper place as necessary topos for thought itself. The work has two primary divisions: ;In the first division I provide an etiology for the rigor mortis that has afflicted philosophical discourse as a result of its post-Heideggenan linguistic 'turn' in two ways: first, I show how it is that Heidegger himself undergoes a linguistic 'turn' in his search for a fundamental ontology, one that effectively ends philosophical discourse; second, I show how Heidegger's attempt at a fundamental ontology is itself a 'closure' of metaphysics. In addition, I explicate Lacanian subjectivity for the purpose of mining it for the valuable insights it provides regarding these issues, and to show its inherent inadequacy in meeting the necessary conditions for moving philosophy forward in a radical way. ;In the second division I lay the groundwork for a philosophy that disrupts the spell of post-Heideggerian thought. I show how Plotinus affords us the opportunity to resume philosophical discourse and avoid any "closure" of metaphysics. Specifically, I provide a topology for thought of Plotinus, and show how Plotiman ontology provides a ground for a philosophy that encompasses both the concerns of the ancient Greeks and those of twentieth century. Finally, I provide a rough survey of the field for philosophical discourse, reconfigured in the wake of Plotinus