"The generality of mankind are unable to grasp a sequence of logical arguments. For this reason they stand in need of symbols and parables telling of rewards and punishments in the next world. A confirmatory evidence of this is that today we observe a people called Christians, who believe devoutly in rewards and punishments in a future state. This group show forth excellent actions, similar to the actions of an individual who is a true philosopher. For example, we all see with our own eyes that they have no fear of death, and their passion for justice and fair-dealing is so great that they should be considered true philosophers." (50)
The station of a philosopher, in that age and in the
mind of Galen, was superior to any other station in the
world. Consider then how the enlightening and spiritualizing
power of divine religions impels the believers
to such heights of perfection that a philosopher like