Noology of Plotinus as an essay of rational theology
Issues of Theology January 1, 2022 Priest Maksim Nikulin
Plotinus' theology is often viewed as mystical, but recent work reveals moments of positive theology. His henology is a theology, yet the One, being transcendental, excludes cataphatic description. Noology (the study of Intellect) is also theology, as Plotinus calls the Intellect God. The treatise "On the Knowing Hypostases and That Which is Beyond" discusses two ways of cognizing the Intellect: intuitive and discursive. The soul can empirically feel or become the Intellect, and also comprehend experience through understanding via inherent letters, laws, and rules. Psychology can be seen as rational theology, distinct from Christian usage. Plotinus' triad of Intelligible-Intellect-Intelligence resembles Husserl's pure ego, but phenomenological epistemology lacks the ontological grounding of Neoplatonism. Noology could ground modern epistemology and humanitarian knowledge.