When1: 10
When2: 40
Who: Philo Judaeus or Philo of Alexandria
What: philosopher
Where: Alexandria, Egypt
works\ Exposition of the Law [10 to 40]; Allegorical Commentary on Genesis [10 to 40: his main work]; Question and Solutions [10 to 40]; On the Liberty of the Wise [10 to 40]; On the Incorruptibility of the World [10 to 40]; On Providence [10 to 40]; Alexander or On Whether Brute Animals Possess Reason or On Animals [10 to 40]; Contemplative Life [10 to 40]
Detail: He lived -20 to 50, was Neo-Platonist, commented on Bible, and unified Jewish and Greek philosophy.
Epistemology
Religious-writing literal meaning is for senses. Philosophical meaning is for mind. To understand, people must be passive in reason, senses, and activity, so divine spirit can enter. People can achieve ecstasy {mysticism}, in which miracles and prophecies are possible. In this state, people know, not just desire to know. People can prepare for this state, and be worthy of it, through love, truth, faith, prayer, and suppression of will and senses. However, this state is gift from God. People must renounce self and merge with God to know logos and so God. Logos is immanent, and people can know it. God is transcendent, and people cannot know it.
Metaphysics
God is perfect. Matter is imperfect. Life principle, divine reason, or spirit of God {logos, spirit} is intelligent, immanent, transcendent, and divine. Logos is powers and attributes of God and is how God acts on nature. Logos makes and unifies all matter. Logos is Thought. Logos is immanent in all things, while God is transcendent.
Intelligence {logos spermatikos} generates everything. Intermediate connecting forces are angels and servants of God and link God and material world. Angels have personality and connect to God by logos. Angels are also material.
Social Sciences>Philosophy>History>Ethics
Outline of Knowledge Database Home Page
Description of Outline of Knowledge Database
Date Modified: 2022.0224