The Refusal of God’s ἀπραξία

An Apologetic Appeal to Stoic Arms (Philo, De opificio mundi 7–12)

Bibliographic Data

ID21819359
AuthorsLucia Lombardi (0000-0001-6226-8086, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume17
Issue2
Pages289-308
Publication date2025-10-20
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTrends in Classics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1866-7473 • E-ISSN: 1866-7481
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1515/tc-2025-0016
OpenAlexW4415350878
LanguageEN
References cited23

This paper showcases the importance of networking between exegeses for the theme of ἀπραξία in Philo of Alexandria. De providentia 1.6–7 and De aeternitate mundi 13–19, on the proemial chapter of Genesis , are examined to better understand the case of De opificio mundi 7–12. In Opif. 7–12, Philo adopts Stoic apologetic strategies, positing a pre-cosmos without disorder. He preserves God’s otherness from the cosmos while incorporating active divine agency within creation. In De opificio mundi 7–12, Philo’s reworking of Stoic concepts does not indicate a critical attitude towards the Stoa. This paper also considers the problem of Philo’s opponents in light of the development of the theme of ἀπραξία between the end of the Hellenistic era and the early Imperial age. It seeks to identify his opponents, arguing that it is unlikely that Philo meant Aristotle, whom he perhaps perceived more favourably than commonly assumed. The hypothesis is put forward that his opponents instead may be suspected to be a group of Pseudo-Pythagoreans or pythagorising Platonists

Appeal · Stoicism · Augustinian Studies and Theology · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classical Philosophy and Thought

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