From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordKreittona genē means higher or superior kinds.
- In StobaeusIamblichus reports views equating soul’s substance with intellect, gods, and higher kinds, while carefully differentiating the positions of Numenius, Plotinus, Amelius, and Porphyry.
- In this edition“Higher beings” is accessible; “higher kinds” preserves the classificatory noun.
- A place to beginHigher kinds enter a disputed account of soul’s substance.
- English renderings
- higher kinds; superior beings
Meaning
Kreittona genē means higher or superior kinds. It is a relational designation whose members depend on the particular hierarchy.
Use in the book
Iamblichus reports views equating soul’s substance with intellect, gods, and higher kinds, while carefully differentiating the positions of Numenius, Plotinus, Amelius, and Porphyry. Another passage names gods, angels, daimons, and heroes as examples. The phrase should not be treated as one fixed rank with invariant membership.
Places to read
- I.49.32.11Higher kinds enter a disputed account of soul’s substance.
- I.49.39.4A list supplies examples of higher kinds.
Translation in this edition
“Higher beings” is accessible; “higher kinds” preserves the classificatory noun.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 365, 378. The assessments of the named philosophers belong to the reporter, and the asserted equality is expressly restricted to substance.