Does Flavius Josephus talk about human "spirit" in a philosophical manner?

What is it about?

Researchers have claimed that the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus was influenced by platonic philosophy. They think that he took over the middle-platonic model of human beings consisting of "body, soul and mind", and modified this model in a specifically Jewish way to "body, sould and spirit (Greek: pneuma)". This article analyses all instances in Josephus's works where he uses the Greek lexeme "pneuma". The article shows that he uses it mostly in the meaning of "wind" or in the meaning of "demon/evil spirit". When he uses it in regard to living human beings it does not mean "spirit" but "breath". Therefore, in this respect, Josephus shows no middle-platonic influences.

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Photo by Craig Zdanowicz on Unsplash

Photo by Craig Zdanowicz on Unsplash

Why is it important?

There is a debate about middle-platonic influences on ancient Jewish authors, esp. on the philosopher Philo, the historian Josephus and the Apostle Paul. The article shows that the influence of this philosophical school on Josephus may have been overestimated.