Against The Gnostics

Against the Gnostics is a philosophical treatise written by Plotinus, a prominent philosopher of the ancient world. The book is a critique of Gnosticism, a religious and philosophical movement that was popular in the second century CE. Gnosticism was characterized by its belief in secret knowledge, or gnosis, which was said to provide a path to salvation. Plotinus argues that the Gnostics' emphasis on secret knowledge is misguided, and that true salvation can only be achieved through a process of philosophical contemplation and spiritual purification. He also criticizes the Gnostics' dualistic worldview, which posits a fundamental division between the material and spiritual realms. Plotinus instead argues for a holistic view of reality, in which the material and spiritual are intimately connected. Against the Gnostics is an important work of ancient philosophy, and continues to be studied and debated by scholars today.