Plotinus: Enneads - AwardSpace

however introduce into this category the qualified objects [qua
objects], that we may not be dealing with two categories at
once; we shall pass over the objects to that which gives them
their [specific] name.
But how are we to classify such terms as "not white"? If "not
white" signifies some other colour, it is a quality. But if it is
merely a negation of an enumeration of things not white, it will
be either a meaningless sound, or else a name or definition of
something actual: if a sound, it is a kind of motion; if a name
or definition, it is a relative, inasmuch as names and definitions
are significant. But if not only the things enumerated are in
some one genus, but also the propositions and terms in
question must be each of them significative of some genus,
then we shall assert that negative propositions and terms posit
certain things within a restricted field and deny others.
Perhaps, however, it would be better, in view of their
composite nature, not to include the negations in the same
genus as the affirmations.
What view, then, shall we take of privations? If they are
privations of qualities, they will themselves be qualities:
"toothless" and "blind," for example, are qualities. "Naked"
and "dothed," on the other hand, are neither of them qualities
but states: they therefore comport a relation to something else.
[With regard to passive qualities:]
Passivity, while it lasts, is not a quality but a motion; when it is
a past experience remaining in one's possession, it is a quality;
if one ceases to possess the experience then regarded as a
finished occurrence, one is considered to have been moved­ in
other words, to have been in Motion. But in none of these
cases is it necessary to conceive of anything but Motion; the
idea of time should be excluded; even present time has no right
to be introduced.
"Well" and similar adverbial expressions are to be referred to
the single generic notion [of Quality].
It remains to consider whether blushing should be referred to
Quality, even though the person blushing is not included in this
category. The fact of becoming flushed is rightly not referred
to Quality; for it involves passivity­ in short, Motion. But if
one has ceased to become flushed and is actually red, this is
surely a case of Quality, which is independent of time. How
indeed are we to define Quality but by the aspect which a
substance presents? By predicating of a man redness, we
clearly ascribe to him a quality.