What were the key ideas of Philo of Alexandria?

What were the key ideas of Philo of Alexandria?

Philo of Alexandria was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who lived in the 1st century BCE. His key ideas revolved around the synthesis of Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism and Stoicism, with Jewish religious thought. Philo believed in the existence of a transcendent God who created and governs the universe. He emphasized the importance of reason and contemplation in understanding the divine and sought to reconcile Greek philosophy with Jewish scripture. Philo also proposed the concept of Logos, which he understood as the intermediary between God and the world, serving as the creative and organizing principle. Additionally, Philo advocated for the practice of virtue and the pursuit of moral excellence as a means to achieve harmony with the divine.