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How did Philo Judaeus define justice in his ethical thought?
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Philo Judaeus
Jewish philosopher Philo Judaeus.
In his ethical theory, Philo Judaeus described two virtues under the heading of justice that were otherwise unknown in Greek philosophical literature: religious faith and humanity.1
While Philo was deeply influenced by Greek philosophy, he maintained a unique perspective by integrating these concepts into his ethical framework. Furthermore, he diverged from other Greek philosophers by categorizing repentance as a virtue rather than a weakness. Ultimately, Philo posited that perfect happiness is not achieved solely through human effort in practicing virtue, but rather through the grace of God.1