The Curriculum of study of Clement of Alexandria: Gnosis and Platonism

Abstract

The work of Clement of Alexandria is a propedeutic which reaches its summit with the Gnostic experience. Gnosis is the higher knowledge of Divine reality, based on intuition and contemplation. Clement displays a curriculum of study that Gnostic candidate must follow in his intellectual ascension. The curriculum of study is not an original Clementine creation because is deeply rooted in ancient origins. This paper examines the texts of Clement of Alexandria to expose the underlying conceptual platonic structures related to gnosis. In addition, the Clementine curriculum is structured and compared with similarities in Neo-Platonist curriculum, noticing the transition from Middle-Platonism.