The Logos and Its Function in the Writings of Philo of Alexandria

The term Logos (Λογος) was widely used in the Greco-Roman culture and in Judaism. It has many meanings such as word, speech, statement, discourse, refutation, ratio, account, explanation, reason. But the meanings which have philosophical and religious implications are basically two: as an inward thought or reason, an intuitive conception, and as an outward expression of thought in speech. In any theistic system it could therefore easily be used to account for a revelation or to be personified and designate a separate being. Through most schools of Greek philosophy, this term was used to designate a rational, intelligent and thus vivifying principle of the universe. This principle was deduced from the understanding of the universe as the living reality and by comparing it to the living creature. The ancient people did not have the dynamic concept of "function" therefore every phenomenon had to have an underlying factor, agent, or principle responsible for its occurrence.