Know Yourself in Clement of Alexandria: Self-Knowledge, God-Knowledge and the Transformation of Self
-
Henny Fiskå Hägg
Abstract
Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-c. 215) cited the Delphic maxim six times verbatim. In addition, he alluded to it on numerous occasions. The whole idea of selfknowledge he interpreted in different ways: Firstly, “Know yourself” was an appeal to realise one’s humanity and, secondly, it was an appeal to recognise one’s self as an image-bearer of the divine. The purpose of life was to be transformed into his likeness as far as possible. Thiswas made possible by the knowledge of God. The method to achieve this Godlikeness involved a life of self-cultivation and care of self, through a progress in virtue and spirituality, all under the guidance of the divine pedagogue. Thus, Clement’s interpretation of the Delphic maxim fits well in with his overall anthropology and theology. It is central to his understanding of the human being as an earthly as well as a divine being and therefore cannot be understood on its own terms, only in relation to its divine origin, as God’s image-bearer.
Abstract
Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-c. 215) cited the Delphic maxim six times verbatim. In addition, he alluded to it on numerous occasions. The whole idea of selfknowledge he interpreted in different ways: Firstly, “Know yourself” was an appeal to realise one’s humanity and, secondly, it was an appeal to recognise one’s self as an image-bearer of the divine. The purpose of life was to be transformed into his likeness as far as possible. Thiswas made possible by the knowledge of God. The method to achieve this Godlikeness involved a life of self-cultivation and care of self, through a progress in virtue and spirituality, all under the guidance of the divine pedagogue. Thus, Clement’s interpretation of the Delphic maxim fits well in with his overall anthropology and theology. It is central to his understanding of the human being as an earthly as well as a divine being and therefore cannot be understood on its own terms, only in relation to its divine origin, as God’s image-bearer.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Foreword V
- Contents VII
-
Part 1: Introductory Chapters
- The Delphic Maxim Interpreted: Aims, Scope, and Significance of the Present Study 1
- Ancient Self-Knowledge: Exploring Some of the Scholarly Debates 21
- Interpretations and Echoes of the Delphic Maxim in Pre-Christian Greek Philosophy 55
- “Know Your Text”: the Integrity and Interpretation of Alcibiades m. 133c8–17 85
-
Part 2: Main Chapters
- Philo of Alexandria and the Transitory and Apophatic Dimensions of Knowing Oneself 125
- Seneca: Knowledge of Self and Nature 159
- Plutarch: Know God and Know Yourself 211
- Know Your Exceptionality. The Delphic Maxim Know Yourself in Epictetus 231
- Between Self-Knowledge and Self-Enjoyment: ΓΝѠθΙ ϹAYTON in the Skeleton Mosaic from beneath the Monastery of San Gregorio 269
- Self-Knowledge as Alienation and Unification in the Hermetica 293
- Self-Knowledge and the Hidden Kingdom: The Delphic Maxim in the Manuscripts of Gos. Thom. 3 319
- What does it Mean to be Human? The Delphic Maxim in Irenaeus 337
- Know Yourself in Clement of Alexandria: Self-Knowledge, God-Knowledge and the Transformation of Self 365
- When Mortals Become Sinners: Tertullian Grappling with the Delphic Maxim 385
- A Maxim of Greek Philosophy Found in Scripture: “Know Yourself” in Origen and Reflections in Gregory of Nyssa 423
- Jesus Knowing Himself: Origen and the Gospel of John 473
- Plotinus on the Delphic Maxim: Knowing and Being One’s True Self 505
- Knowing Yourself as an Essential Part of Origen’s Teaching According to Gregory Thaumaturgus 527
- Forged in the Community of Divine Love: Augustine’s Quest through the Maxim of Self-Knowledge for Finite Wholeness within the Infinite God 569
- Author Index 595
- Index of biblical and classical sources 603
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Foreword V
- Contents VII
-
Part 1: Introductory Chapters
- The Delphic Maxim Interpreted: Aims, Scope, and Significance of the Present Study 1
- Ancient Self-Knowledge: Exploring Some of the Scholarly Debates 21
- Interpretations and Echoes of the Delphic Maxim in Pre-Christian Greek Philosophy 55
- “Know Your Text”: the Integrity and Interpretation of Alcibiades m. 133c8–17 85
-
Part 2: Main Chapters
- Philo of Alexandria and the Transitory and Apophatic Dimensions of Knowing Oneself 125
- Seneca: Knowledge of Self and Nature 159
- Plutarch: Know God and Know Yourself 211
- Know Your Exceptionality. The Delphic Maxim Know Yourself in Epictetus 231
- Between Self-Knowledge and Self-Enjoyment: ΓΝѠθΙ ϹAYTON in the Skeleton Mosaic from beneath the Monastery of San Gregorio 269
- Self-Knowledge as Alienation and Unification in the Hermetica 293
- Self-Knowledge and the Hidden Kingdom: The Delphic Maxim in the Manuscripts of Gos. Thom. 3 319
- What does it Mean to be Human? The Delphic Maxim in Irenaeus 337
- Know Yourself in Clement of Alexandria: Self-Knowledge, God-Knowledge and the Transformation of Self 365
- When Mortals Become Sinners: Tertullian Grappling with the Delphic Maxim 385
- A Maxim of Greek Philosophy Found in Scripture: “Know Yourself” in Origen and Reflections in Gregory of Nyssa 423
- Jesus Knowing Himself: Origen and the Gospel of John 473
- Plotinus on the Delphic Maxim: Knowing and Being One’s True Self 505
- Knowing Yourself as an Essential Part of Origen’s Teaching According to Gregory Thaumaturgus 527
- Forged in the Community of Divine Love: Augustine’s Quest through the Maxim of Self-Knowledge for Finite Wholeness within the Infinite God 569
- Author Index 595
- Index of biblical and classical sources 603
