Early Judaism- A Comprehensive Overview

because they cannot be compelled to do wrong. They also treat indifferent

things with indifference; this refers to the Stoic concept ofadiaphora:

things that do not carry any positive or negative value in moral terms.

The remainder of the treatise deals with stories of people who are ex-

emplary for the subject. Philo refers to traditional tales, such as of Calanos,

Anaxarchos, Zeno, and Diogenes. He also includes a lengthy account of the

Essenes; their ascetic way of life earns them a place in this treatise. He ac-

centuates their innocence, rejection of slave labor, study of the law, devo-

tion to God and neighbors, sharing of goods, and providing help for the

sick and the poor. This account, which is quoted by the church historian

Eusebius, is one of our few sources of knowledge about the Essenes.

On Providence 1 and 2 (De providentia)

These treatises on divine providence are stylized dialogues between Philo

and his apostate nephew Alexander. The works are transmitted in an Ar-

menian translation; a substantial part of the second book is extant in

Greek. The first book offers an extensive account of the workings of God’s

providence. Alexander has doubts about the concept and brings in multi-

ple objections, while Philo believes that it governs the world. Like other

Platonists of his time, Philo tries to find a balance between an absolute free

will and inflexible determinism. He maintains the autonomy of the will as

a basis for ethical judgment, while at the same time preserving the doc-

trine of divine providence.

The second book continues the discussion. Starting with the problem

of retribution, Alexander argues that wicked people often fare well and

good people fare badly. Polycrates and Socrates are cases in point for Alex-

ander. Philo responds that God does not necessarily punish evil immedi-

ately and that the wicked are never really happy. External goods have no

value in the presence of God, and the true philosopher despises them.

Sages defy poverty and ill-treatment — Socrates, Zeno, and Anaxarchos

being the examples.

Other arguments deal with the theory of creation and the order of the

world, all in the context of providence. The problem of evil in nature is

part of the dialogue as well; natural nuisances, such as bad weather and

savage animals, or disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, are discussed.

Philo stresses the value of temperance, which is not dependent on natural

causes but on moral behavior.

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sterling, runia, niehoff, and van den hoek

EERDMANS -- Early Judaism (Collins and Harlow) final text
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