"The Worst of the Passions": Desire in Philo of Alexandria
This study explores Philo's understanding of "desire" (επιθυμία) in light of Greek and Jewish traditions. Using key texts from the Philonic corpus, I show the way Philo's thought operates within philosophical interpretations of the dangers of desire and its remedy to avoid excess...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
2023
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| In: |
Biblical research
Year: 2023, Volume: 68, Pages: 42-57 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Philo, Alexandrinus 25 BC-40
/ Desire
/ Drive
/ Reason
/ Self-control
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| IxTheo Classification: | HD Early Judaism |
| Further subjects: | B
irrational desire
B Philo of Alexandria B Self-control B Desire B food laws B excessive impulse B Reason |
| Summary: | This study explores Philo's understanding of "desire" (επιθυμία) in light of Greek and Jewish traditions. Using key texts from the Philonic corpus, I show the way Philo's thought operates within philosophical interpretations of the dangers of desire and its remedy to avoid excessive impulse and irrational desire. I argue that Philo engages the larger philosophical discussions about passions, and in his doctrine of moderation he combines doctrines and ideas from Greek philosophy and Judaism. This analysis enlightens the consistent pattern found in Philo's biblical interpretation: he shows continuity with the Greek philosophical and Jewish traditions, but at the same time, he moves beyond them when he suggests how to practice self-control. |
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| ISSN: | 0067-6535 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Biblical research
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