EPISTEMOLOGY OF CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA
/TEÓRIA POZNANIA KLEMENTA ALEXANDRIJSKÉHO/

Marián AMBROZY

assistant professor, College of International Business ISM Slovakia in Presov, Duchnovicovo namestie 1, 08001 Presov, Slovakia, ambrozy.marian@gmail.com

Abstract

The article is an attempt to point out the basic features of the theory of knowledge of Clement of Alexandria. We consider it remarkable in terms of early Christian philosophy. Clement of Alexandria is a gnostic philosopher, yet his philosophy differs significantly from the vast majority of gnostic thinkers. This fact also determines his theory of knowledge. Its main features can be found in Stromateis. This article is also based on our article. The theory of knowledge of Clement of Alexandria can be described as gnostic on the one hand, but open to the extent that it is accessible to the simple believer. The article also discusses the relationship of Clement to ancient Greek philosophy. Ultimately, logic and its formal operations are a means of real knowledge. Its essence is based on the unwritten tradition in addition to Bible, but systematic study makes it possible to grasp it.

Keywords

Knowledge theory, Clement of Alexandria, gnosis

SUMMARY

Clement of Alexandria is not typical gnostic which is in fact orthodox from christian point of view. Basic features of his theory of knowing is possible to deduce based on on his most extensive piece of work Stromateis. Fact, even in not traditional meaning, that he declare to gnosticizm, respond also his theory of knowing. Cognition is in close accordance identical with biblical cognition. Even he is highly valuating Greek philosophy he is not consider it as autonomic implement but rather as knowledge which Greek took it from Jewish. This is one of the reason why he is evaluating it so highly on one side (for example compare with Tertulian) but he doesn’t percieve it as temperamentaly different from delegacy of Bible on the other side. Afinity to the some of the Greek origins, especialy to Plato and Stoe is obvious. Clement of Alexandria is highy valuating the logic, he knows propositional logic and axiomatical system. He is linking intelect with logic. We are getting to know the same by the same, similar as at Epedocles, in this sense Clement recomends customize cogitative subject so to become similar to the subject of thinking. Our philosopher is linking logical operations with knowing through grasping unwritten christian tradition. It is possible to achieve true knowing by the studying. Despite of gnostic basis of Clement theory of knowing it is not possible to talk about exclusivity in sense of secret ezotherical tradition as even Clement talks about unwritten tradition, cognition is potentially accesible to every believer who dispose with the will and time to educate.

(Language: slovak)

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