The focus of this treatise is to demonstrate that the first principle of all does not think or, conversely, that primary thinking cannot be the first principle of all. The opposition to Plotinus’ position includes Peripatetics and those Platonists who identified the Demiurge or a divine intellect with the first principle of all. Plotinus here argues that Aristotle’s Unmoved Mover cannot be the first principle of all. Since its thinking is primary Being, the first principle must be beyond primary Being. This does not mean, however, that the first principle does not exist. Plotinus explains why that which is beyond Being is identical with the Good.
§1. The distinction between thinking that is of externals and primary thinking that is self-thinking.
§2. Why prior to self-thinking, there must be that which is absolutely simple or one.
§3. The One cannot be many in any sense or have parts.
§4. The analogy of light and of number. The identity of the One with the Good.
§5. The Good does think because thinking is always of that which is distinct from the thinker and thinking is always of the Good. The Good cannot be distinct from itself.
§6. The Good’s activity is not intellection. The Good is beyond thinking and beyond Being.