Plotinus' Metaphorical and Non-Metaphorical Explanation of Emanation

Emanation is the base of total philosophy of Plotinus. In spite of this and despite he is an accurate thinker; his explanation of it is blended with different metaphors. Some researchers believes that this is because of his attempt to absorb ancient philosophies, specially the philosophy of Aristotle and Posidonius, into his rich philosophical tradition. But, some others believes that Plotinus applies these metaphors to explain some new theory which is called double act doctrine. On the base of this theory, every complete thing, in addition to its internal activity which is its true nature, has an external activity which is flow from it as a portrait. The external activity of the One is a potential indeterminate intellect which at first has the audacity to separate from the One. But, after separation, comes back to it apologetically which results in his completion. In this paper, we elaborate Plotinus' metaphorical and non-metaphorical explanation of emanation and its requisites.