Meaning: The quote "Mankind is poised midway between the gods and the beasts" is attributed to the ancient philosopher Plotinus, who was a prominent figure in the development of Neoplatonism. This quote encapsulates the fundamental concept of human nature and the human condition as understood in Neoplatonic philosophy. Plotinus' philosophical system, which was heavily influenced by Plato's ideas, sought to reconcile the transcendent realm of the divine with the material world and the human experience.

At the core of Neoplatonism is the idea that the ultimate reality is a unified, transcendent source often referred to as "the One" or "the Good." This transcendent source is the source of all existence and is beyond the realm of human comprehension. Beneath this transcendent realm, there exists a hierarchy of being, with various levels of reality emanating from the One. At the center of this hierarchy is the realm of the intellect or the divine mind, which serves as a bridge between the One and the material world.

In the Neoplatonic view, human beings occupy a unique position within this hierarchy of being. Unlike the beasts, who are driven purely by instinct and physical desires, and the gods, who exist in a state of perfect unity with the One, humans are situated between these two extremes. They possess both material, sensory bodies and a rational intellect that allows them to contemplate the divine and transcend their immediate desires and impulses.

Plotinus' quote captures the idea that human beings have the capacity to strive towards the divine and transcend their animal nature. While humans are bound to the material world and subject to its limitations and imperfections, they also have the potential to reach towards the divine and participate in the realm of pure, transcendent reality. This tension between the material and the divine is at the heart of the human experience, according to Neoplatonism.

The concept of the human soul is crucial to understanding Plotinus' quote. In Neoplatonism, the soul is seen as a divine spark that originates from the One and becomes embodied in the material world. The soul's ultimate goal is to reunite with the divine source from which it came. This journey involves the cultivation of virtue, the pursuit of knowledge, and the transcendence of material desires in order to align the soul with the divine realm.

Plotinus' quote also reflects the ethical and spiritual implications of the Neoplatonic worldview. It suggests that human beings are not simply passive recipients of fate or mere products of their animal instincts. Instead, they are called to recognize their divine potential and strive to actualize it through the pursuit of wisdom, virtue, and contemplation of the transcendent.

In summary, Plotinus' quote "Mankind is poised midway between the gods and the beasts" encapsulates the central tenets of Neoplatonism regarding the nature of humanity. It underscores the idea that human beings occupy a unique position in the hierarchy of being, possessing both material and divine aspects. This quote invites contemplation on the human potential to transcend the limitations of the material world and strive towards the divine, reflecting the ethical and spiritual aspirations of Neoplatonic philosophy.