Philo on Human Perfection

This paper is an inquiry into Philo's ideas about human perfection: for Philo, what qualities and/or activities constitute a ‘perfect’ life, and how are we to live our lives to achieve it? Philo's model of ideal perfection, I argue, is exemplified by the life of Moses. Moses, however, is so perfect that he is inimitable; ordinary human beings must, rather, follow the paths to perfection exemplified by the three biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Each heuristically represents a distinct path to perfection: Abraham, the first philosopher, exemplifies a life of contemplation, teaching, and inquiry; Isaac exemplifies natural perfection; and Jacob a life made perfect through righteous action. For Philo, the Essenes and the Therapeutae further represent historical communities that exemplify the pursuit of human perfection, the Essenes in the path of Jacob and the Therapeutae in that of Abraham. Most of us, however, are neither Essenes nor Therapeutae, and Philo discusses the possibilities, and challenges, that ordinary mortals face as we pursue human perfection.