The Guide to the Perplexed obviously doesn’t need a recommendation. But, before comparing it to other medieval works, it’s best to underlie the assumptions inherent in the text.
For Maimonides, Aristotelian philosophy was not a worldview, still less a prelude to science, but the perennial truth about man, nature and God. Maimonides goes so far as to say that Moses knew Aristotelian metaphysics and related it orally to the Jewish elders.
Thus, there is absolute synchronicity between the Bible and Aristotle; the only difference is that Aristotle did not receive the benefit of revelation. Furthermore, the Bible is true history. There is no sense of the mythical in the stories of Adam and Eve, the Flood, or the Tower of Babel.
The eponymous perplexed man relates to a specific time in Jewish history. Maimonides’ contemporaries were at a loss as how to square the philosophy of the Islamic Aristotelians with their Jewish faith. The purpose of this work is then not to explain inconsistencies in the Bible or to ponder abstract questions about God but to quiet Jewish doubts in light of, to use a trite term, the “science of the day.”
As far as the work itself, it’s hard to describe in a few words. Salient differences from the Christian scholastics would be a greater stress on learning; to the extent that the unlearned man is unable to love God to the same degree as the scholar. There is also a deemphasis on grace and no sense of Original Sin—man can choose the highest life of the intellect and the contemplation of divine things on his own. Finally, wisdom is stressed more than love. In fact, the love of God and neighbor gets only passing mention in the text.
Given the obviously dated science and interpretation of the scriptures, is it still worth reading? Yes, as an exercise in intellectual history and for those who still see some validity in Aristotle. It was also a way for me personally to connect with my Jewish ancestry; a reason that, for others as well, may merit more than a casual perusal of this book.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
Daniel Wolpert
Horrible, horrible printing and format. Aviod
Reviewed in Germany on January 6, 2021
Daniel Wolpert
Reviewed in Germany on January 6, 2021
The fine text and translation is ruined by this amazon print on demand abomination.
Someone just copy and pasted a word document and there is no feeling for the fact that books are meant to be read. Who thought it was a good idea to use a coffee table format (DIN B2?) and then puke up text in what might as well be justified text in pages with no orphan or widow control and margins and gutters slimmer than my wallet after my daughters birthday.
There was obviously zero consideration for a reader of this classic text. Was this entirely machine produced? For one of the most humane and important texts in the Jewish cannon this is an insult. The cover has nice repro art but everything else is a formatting crime. But who at amazon cares right? We are just data fodder who feeds the billionaire millions a day. I can't wait until covid is over to visit what bookshops are left in my town.
Images in this review
Nicolae Stefan
Full of ortographic mistakes
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2020