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The aim is to compare how Plotinus and John Damascenus viewed matter, linking it to concepts of evil and infinity.

February 5, 2026Open Access

The Concept of Unbounded and Evil Matter in Plotinus and John Damascenus

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The aim is to compare how Plotinus and John Damascenus viewed matter, linking it to concepts of evil and infinity.
Comparative analysis of philosophical texts from Plotinus (3rd century) and John Damascenus (8th century)
Examination of the fundamental ideas of matter, form, and their relationships in Greek philosophy
Analysis of the transition from Plotinus’s view of matter to John Damascenus’s privatio boni perspective.
Plotinus views matter as infinite and good, while John Damascenus sees it as a privation of good.
The relationship between matter and evil evolves from a dualistic view in Plotinus to a unified concept in Damascenus.
The tension between matter and evil reflects a broader theological framework that culminates in the belief of God's absolute goodness.

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This article explores the concepts of matter and evil in two historical figures, highlighting their philosophical implications.

Katelis Viglas (2005) studied this question.

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