File spoon-archives/nietzsche.archive/nietzsche_1995/nietzsche_Sep.95, message 38


Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 22:48:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: Stephen Tompkins <st265089-AT-oak.cats.ohiou.edu>
Subject: Re: Nietzsche & Gnosticism


     Out of curiousity, I would like to know the citation that Mark is 
referring to, that is, Clement of Alexandria as a gnostic.  In Elaine 
Pagels' work 'The Gnostic Gospels', she writes "Clement identifies 
himself as orthodox, although he knows members of gnostic groups and 
their writings well: some even suggest that he was himself a gnostic 
initiate."  (67)     According to Pagels, gnosticism's influence on 
Clement led him to incorporate certain ideas, such as the 
masculine/feminine God which is characteristic of the Gnostic 'Gospel of 
Thomas', into the orthodoxy.  Pagels specifically refers to Clement's 
'Paidagogos'.  As far as Clement's view on human nature (also from 
Pagels) "...men and women share equally in perfection, and are to receive 
the same instruction and the same discipline..."  
     Mark, could you elaborate more on 'similarities'; Clement's view 
above seems to have little to do with Nietzsche's view of human nature.  
I am having difficulty seeing the connection, but nevertheless am willing 
to hear more.  I think Pagels' book is an excellent start and the 
discovery of the Gnostic texts themselves which occured in Nag Hammadi 
Egypt in 1945 is fascinating stuff.

Stephen J. Tompkins
Ohio University
Philosophy Graduate Program

stevilbollweevil

On Tue, 19 Sep 1995, MARK_LITTLE wrote:

> I have come across some interesting similarities between the work of Nietzsche
> and the second century gnostic clement of Alexandria - does anyopne know of any
> work in this area? I'll be very grateful for any suggestions
> Thanks
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> 	--- from list nietzsche-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu ---
> 


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