AM NIONIUS, surnamed •acca•, from his formet Profession a porter, was the founder of the Eclectic philosophy at Alexandria. lie was born of Christian parents, and, according to some, continued through life to profess Christianity ; but Porphyry and others claim him as a convert to paganism. Eusebius defends him from this charge, and Baylc takes up the same side of the argument, referring to the writings of Ammonius for evidence of his Christianity. But the Ammonius of whom we are speaking, left no writings behind him, as his pupil Longinus attests.
The great object which Ammonius had in view, was to reconcile the jarring systems of philosophy, and, in particular, to form a coalition between the Platonists and the Aristotelians, whose disputes at that time divi ded the world. For this purpose, he endeavoured to se lect from various systems those tenets which were uni versally admitted, whilst he discarded all such doctrines as were doubtful, and capable of being controverted. However plausible this scheme may appear, it is entire ly delusive : the province of philosophy would be mar vellously circumscribed, were it to admit nothing but universally acknowledged truths; and it would be the 'rarest phenomenon that ever was exhibited to the world, to meet with a system of philosophical doctrines which have never been controverted. The scheme, however, was amazingly popular at first, and continued in vogue till it had nearly ruined both religion and philosophy. Its author was dignified with the epithet of efeata`am-cc. or heaven-taught ; and all denominations of philosophers and religionists, whether Platonists or Aristotelians, Christians or Pagans, vied with each other in celebrating his praises. his plan, indeed, was wonderfully calcula
ted to soothe and deceive the partisans of the different systems. He did not condemn any as erroneous; their errors and absurdities were left in the back grounds, whilst he endeavoured to bring into view their most useful tenets and most prominent excellencies. By these means, all parties were flattered, and eager to claim Ammonius as their champion. Unfortunately, the Christian fathers of those days, many of whom had pro fessed the heathen philosophy before their conversion to Christianity, fell in with the general delusion, and gladly embraced a system which seemed to reconcile their present profession with their early prejudices. As Ammonius had been liberal in introducing the Chris tian maxims into his motley system, and had laboured to shew their conformity with the Gentile philosophy, the fathers, on their part, attempted to engraft heathen ism on Christianity, and to reconcile its dogmas with the purity of the gospel. This unnatural coalition, as might be expected, was productive of the most lamentable effects, and was the principal means of corrupting the purity of the gospel.
Ammonius died at Alexandria about A. D. 230. The most celebrated of his followers were, the famous Lon sinus, Plotinus,. Herennins, Origen, (not the famous Origen,) Porphyry, Jamblichus, Julian the Apostate, Ammianus Marcel'inns; besides many others of less note, both Christians and pagans. For a more detailed view of the opinions of the Eclectics, see EeLF.el IC