Philo of Alexandria : An annotated bibliography 2015

The author is convinced that we will only understand the history of philosophy by telling it as a continuous narrative, without any gaps. This second volume covers Hellenistic, Imperial and Patristic philosophy, with Philo given a place in the second section. Written in a racy style, the account emphasises the importance of Philo’s approach to philosophy in a historical context. His view that Moses is the source of all philosophy gives him license to go further than Greek allegorists and claim that every passage in the Torah conveys philosophical instruction. The brief overview of Philo’s main doctrines emphasises creationist metaphysics and virtue ethics. These are intimately related because they have their roots in the Torah and incite its reader on the quest for redemption. Philo is more than just another Platonist. He gives insight into what was happening in Alexandria (Eudorus), but more importantly he showed the way towards resolving dilemmas posed by religions with revealed texts and this will become increasingly crucial as Christianity supplants Greek and Roman religion. (DTR)