• DOI:10.1086/482574
• Corpus ID: 170209425

The "Platonism" of Clement of Alexandria

@article{Outler1940TheO,
  title={The "Platonism" of Clement of Alexandria},
  author={Albert Cook Outler},
  journal={The Journal of Religion},
  year={1940},
  volume={20},
  pages={217 - 240}
}

• A. Outler
• Published 1 July 1940
• Philosophy
• The Journal of Religion

F IRST rate neither as a philosopher nor as a systematic theologian, Clement of Alexandria nevertheless occupies a crucial place in the process of what is often called "the hellenization of Christianity." To the interpretation of this process, involving as it does the propriety of a philosophical theology, much learning and not a little passion have been devoted.' The object of this essay is not, however, to consider this problem as a whole. We are here concerned merely with the examination of an incident within it. It is generally recognized that Clement went as far as any orthodox Christian ever did in his appropriation and use of hellenistic philosophical and ethical concepts for the expression of his Christian faith. Plato was his favorite philosopher. A brief study of his use and understanding of Plato ought to reveal, in some significant measure, his conception of the relation between Greek philosophy and Christian truth. I We know next to nothing about Clement's life. Epiphanius2 reports that some people said Clement was an Alexandrine while