The Notion of Divine Infinity and Unknowability: Philo, Clement and Origen of Alexandria in a Polemic with Greek Philosophy

Book Title: Hellenism, Early Judaism and Early Christianity: Transmission and Transformation of Ideas
Series Title: Arbeiten zur Kirchengeschichte
Volume: 155
City: Berlin - Boston
Publisher: De Gruyter
Year: 2022
Columns: No
Pages: 69-84
ISBN Number: 9783110795073
Abstract

Plotinus is considered to be the inventor of the notion of divine infinity and unknowability. In fact, however, these themes already appear in Philo, Clement and Origen of Alexandria. The aim of this paper is to show how philosophical reflection on the Bible led to the emergence of a new philosophical concept, which was then later developed by the founder of Neoplatonism.