عنوان

Philo and the Physiognomic Tradition

LA118843

انگلیسی

Philo and the Physiognomic Tradition

[Article]

David Lincicum

Leiden

Brill

In the context of recent interest in physiognomy among students of ancient Judaism and Christianity, attention to Philo of Alexandria has been strangely lacking. But Philo does evince some knowledge of the practice of physiognomy. After brief orientating remarks, evidence of Philo's acquaintance with physiognomic topoi is supplied, together with consideration of the weighty objections Philo has to the theoretical underpinnings of strict physiognomics. In the end, Philo may be said to operate with a certain "physiognomic consciousness" even if he does not have the psychological theory and trust in sense-perception necessary to sustain a more far-reaching commitment to the practice. In the context of recent interest in physiognomy among students of ancient Judaism and Christianity, attention to Philo of Alexandria has been strangely lacking. But Philo does evince some knowledge of the practice of physiognomy. After brief orientating remarks, evidence of Philo's acquaintance with physiognomic topoi is supplied, together with consideration of the weighty objections Philo has to the theoretical underpinnings of strict physiognomics. In the end, Philo may be said to operate with a certain "physiognomic consciousness" even if he does not have the psychological theory and trust in sense-perception necessary to sustain a more far-reaching commitment to the practice.

2013

57-86

Journal for the Study of Judaism

44/1

1570-0631

Philo of Alexandria

physiognomy

David Lincicum

10.1163/15700631-12340374

p

[Article]

275578

a

Y