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Jewish Philosophy » (1st Edition)

Book cover image of Jewish Philosophy by Norbert M. Samuelson

Authors: Norbert M. Samuelson
ISBN-13: 9780826492449, ISBN-10: 0826492444
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Continuum International Publishing Group
Date Published: September 2006
Edition: 1st Edition

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Author Biography: Norbert M. Samuelson

Book Synopsis

jewish Philosophy: An Historical Introduction surveys the history of Jewish philosophy, from the formation of the Hebrew Scriptures to the present time. The author discusses the nature of God, the origin and end of the universe, and the moral value of humanity, all from the distinct perspective of Jewish intellectual history.

The book is intended as a text for courses in Jewish philosophy, as well as for more general courses in religious thought, Judaism, and philosophy, but presupposes no prior background in these subjects. Each chapter concludes with sets of key terms and questions, along with recommendations for further reading.

Norbert M. Samuelson is the Harold and Jean Grossman Professor in Religious Studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He is the author of six books and over 200 articles, and the co-editor of three collected volumes of essays.

Table of Contents

Tables, lists and figures
1Introduction1
IThe Origins11
2Biblical history: the story of the Hebrew Scriptures15
3What is the Bible and how was it created?28
4The God of the Bible41
5The biblical conception of Torah51
6The conception of Israel as the Chosen People61
7The biblical view of God70
8Rabbinic history: from Alexander the Great to Muhammad81
9Major texts of rabbinic Judaism98
10The God of the early rabbis108
11The Torah of the early rabbis117
12The Jewish people of the early rabbis126
13The rabbinic view of ethics132
IIClassical Jewish Philosophy143
14Medieval history: from the rise of Islam to the expulsion from Christian Spain147
15Major texts and themes of Jewish philosophy159
16The composition of The Guide of the Perplexed177
17God and the Bible184
18Creation and revelation194
19Divine providence206
20The reasons for the Commandments (ta'amei he-mitsvot)216
21The rationalism of Gersonides225
22The non-rationalism of Crescas234
IIIModern Jewish Philosophy241
23Modern history: from Christian Spain to secular Israel245
24The turning point - Baruch Spinoza263
25Cohen and Jewish idealism276
26Buber and Jewish existentialism284
27The elements: God, world, and the human297
28The course: creation, revelation, and redemption308
29The configuration: Jewish people, Christian way, and the Kingdom of God315
Conclusion322
30Jewish philosophy after Rosenzweig324
Index335

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