Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
open access
In Spec. 3.1-6 the Jewish-Hellenistic philosopher Philo of Alexandria (20 BCE-49 CE) describes the ascent of the soul to heavens to "see God", a topic well-known from Plato. Philo, however, does...Show moreIn Spec. 3.1-6 the Jewish-Hellenistic philosopher Philo of Alexandria (20 BCE-49 CE) describes the ascent of the soul to heavens to "see God", a topic well-known from Plato. Philo, however, does not only use the concept for reasons of epistemology, but also to reflect about a personal experience that some scholars have labelled as a "mystic experience" and which had a tremendous impact on later neo-Platonic and Christian literature. The thesis explores several aspects of the passage, comparing its epistemological relevance by looking at its Platonic base, while a striking Ciceronian parallel allows reflection on the human aspects and a philosopher's duty between otium and negotium. The main question of this thesis’ "close reading" of the selected texts is "how does Philo as Jewish-Hellenistic thinker evaluate the role of God and human beings regarding seeing God?". In sum, this thesis presents an extensive contextualising discussion of Philo of Alexandria’s claim about heavenly ascent. By putting an emphasis on the distinct Philonian preoccupations and motivation, this thesis attempts to arrive at a novel way of understanding Spec. 3.1-6Show less
Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
closed access
A semantic study on hosios and cognates which compares the semantics and the uses of hosios in Euripides, Isocrates and Xenophon to Plato’s and focuses on Plato's (persuasive) use of the term.
Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
open access
This MA thesis attempts to detect as much as possible democratic and undemocratic features in the Laws of Plato. At the next stage there is a comprehensive analysis on how and why these features...Show moreThis MA thesis attempts to detect as much as possible democratic and undemocratic features in the Laws of Plato. At the next stage there is a comprehensive analysis on how and why these features could be characterized as democratic or undemocratic. In the end of the thesis there is a concise comparison of Magnesia with democratic Athens and also with Callipolis, the ideal society from the Republic of Plato. Finally there is an attempt to decribe the political color of Magnesia.Show less
