The object of this dissertation is to investigate. Basil’s knowledge of Greek literature, and to acquire as far as possible an insight into his attitude toward it. It is hoped that this object will be attained by collecting all direct quotations, all proper names, and all expressions and ideas which may with some degree of real certainty be attributed to the Greek civilization before him. This dissertation is not a study of sources, as such studies are generally understood. The common type of source investigation is an accumulation of every word, phrase, or idea which has even the remotest possibility of indicating a point of contact between two authors. By far the greater part of such material indicates little or nothing of certainty regarding a writer’s use of the works of a predecessor. To repeat, the present study has to do only with certain or nearly certain signs of an acquaintance with, or an attitude of mind toward, the earlier Greek culture. These considerations must be borne in mind, especially in the study of the philosophers (Chapter III) to whom Basil is commonly supposed to be greatly indebted. Aeterna Press

Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 A. D.), the earliest apologist whose works have been preserved even in part, was a Platonist before he was a Christian and Platonic quotations abound in his works. Huber, however, points out, Die Philosophie der Kirchenväter, p. 14, the difficulty of harmonizing Justin’s pro-Platonic and anti-Platonic views. In Apol., II, 13 (Migne, Pat. Gr., VI, p. 465, B. 11) he states that the teachings of Plato are not foreign to Christ, and then again in many places we find that he attacks the heathen philosophers, Plato, Aristotle, etc.; see Cohor. ad Graecos, chap. 5 ff., and declares Plato’s inconsistencies in chap 7. But whether as an advocate or an opponent of Plato’s doctrines he shows a thorough knowledge of his works, quoting from the Republic, Timaeus, Meno and Phaedrus. Aeterna Press