Save

Platonic Asceticism in Philo of Alexandria’s Contemplative Practice

In: Journal for the Study of Judaism
Author:
Scott D. Mackie Chapman University Venice, CA United States

Search for other papers by Scott D. Mackie in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9686-8466
Download Citation Get Permissions

Access options

Get access to the full article by using one of the access options below.

Institutional Login

Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials

Login via Institution

Purchase

Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

€36.93

Abstract

Though Philo of Alexandria’s ascetic beliefs and practices often have been noted, a focused assessment of the Platonic influences on his contemplative asceticism has yet to be offered. While addressing that shortcoming, this essay identifies a number of key Platonic themes. Like Plato’s Socrates, Philo is capable of expressing a range of opinions concerning embodied existence and the roles of body and soul in noetic contemplation. Though generally pursuing a path of moderation, the rigorous demands of noetic contemplation necessarily call for extreme and austere praxes, as well as vigorous effort. Philo’s belief that the suppression of the bodily senses affords the expression of the spiritual senses also is Platonic in origin, as is his oft-stated conviction that the contemplative’s diminished desire for bodily pleasure is a natural consequence of a more powerful, innate attraction to the Forms and the noetic realm. A final and perhaps most important Socratic influence is detected in the esoteric meditative techniques Philo uses to effect the out-of-body experiences that afford mystical contemplation.

Content Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 321 138 8
Full Text Views 39 17 1
PDF Views & Downloads 138 46 2