Ep. #118 – Simplicity, Plotinus & Complex Theism w/ Dr. Cohoe

Summary

How did Plotinus argue for absolute divine simplicity? What is Plato’s criterion? Why must the fundamental being be absolutely simple and not just somewhat simple or relatively simple? How does Phil Corkum’s analysis help respond to a worry about divine simplicity? What do complex theists have in common with pantheists? What does Scotus say about divine simplicity and why is his proposal unhelpful for complex theists? Dr. Caleb Cohoe rejoins the show to answer these questions and discuss two intriguing published papers.

Guest Bio

Dr. Caleb Cohoe is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Metropolitan State University of Denver.  In 2012, he received his doctorate in Philosophy from Princeton University, where he was enrolled in the Program in Classical Philosophy. He works on ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, especially Aristotle, Plotinus, and Augustine, and their relevance for contemporary philosophy of religion. Also, he is interested in philosophy as a way of life and religious ways of life. He serves as one of the Lead Faculty Advisors for the Philosophy as a Way of Life Project, sponsored by Notre Dame and the Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Topics

• Who was Plotinus?
• Can you give us an overview of your paper on Divine Simplicity, Ontological Independence, and Perfect Being Theology?
• What two important principles does Plotinus use to argue for absolute divine simplicity?
• What is Plato’s criterion?
• How does Phil Corkum’s analysis help us overcome a worry related to Plato’s criterion?
• How should we understand some of Plotinus’ seemingly extreme statements about “the One” such as that the One is “beyond being” and “does not exist”?
• What are Scotus’ views on simplicity and why don’t you think they’re helpful to complex theists?

Resources

Why the One Cannot Have Parts: Divine Simplicity, Ontological Independence, and Perfect Being Theology by Dr. Caleb Cohoe

Accounting for the Whole: Why Pantheism is on a Metaphysical Par with Complex Theism by Dr. Caleb Cohoe

ccohoe.com (Dr. Caleb Cohoe’s personal website)

Dr. Cohoe’s publications

There Must Be a First: Why Aquinas Rejects Infinite, Essentially Ordered, Causal Series by Dr. Caleb Cohoe

Dr. Caleb Cohoe’s academia.edu page

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