Judaic sources and Western thought : Jerusalem's enduring presence / edited by Jonathan A. Jacobs.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Jacobs, Jonathan A.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Jewish ethics.

Physical Description:

ix, 284 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2011.

Summary:

Judaic Sources and Western Thought: Jerusalem's Enduring Presence explores the significance and enduring relevance of Judaic roots and sources of important European and Western moral and political ideas and ideals- The volume focuses on the distinct character of Judaic thought concerning moral value, the individual human being, the nature of political order, relations between human beings, and between human beings and God. In doing so, it shows how Judaic thought contains crucial resources for engaging some of the most important issues of moral and political life.

The currents of thought that have shaped the so-called 'Judeo-Christian' tradition involve diverse perspectives and emphases. The essays in this volume bring into relief the distinctly Judaic origins, of many of them and explicate how they remain valuable resources for moral and political thought. These are not essays in Jewish intellectual history; rather, their purpose is to clarify the conceptual resources, insights, and perspectives grounded in Judaic texts and thought. To realize that purpose the essays address important topics in philosophical anthropology, exploring the normative dimensions of human nature and fundamental features of the human condition.

The essays speak to scholars and students in several disciplines and areas of study These include moral philosophy, religion, philosophy of religion, ethics, Jewish intellectual history, comparative religion, theology, and other areas. The volume draws the work of ten scholars into a coherent whole, reflecting the connections between fundamental insights and commitments of Judaic thought and ideals. Book jacket.

Contents:

Part I. Some Judaic roots

ch. 1. The durability of goodness / Alan Mittleman

ch. 2. Judaism and the idea of the future / Kenneth Seeskin

Part II. Judaic culture and politics

ch. 3. Hebraism : the third culture / Steven Grosby

ch. 4. The political thought of the biblical history, Genesis-Kings / Yoram Hazony

Part III. Fundamental elements of morality and moral psychology

ch. 5. Tradition, rationality, and moral life : medieval Judaism's insight / Jonathan A. Jacobs

ch. 6. Natural law and Jewish philosophy / David Noval

Part IV. Medieval and modern politics : Maimonides and Spinoza on reason and revelation

ch. 7. The politics of fear : idolatry and superstition in Maimonides and Spinoza / Daniel H. Frank

ch. 8. Torah as political philosophy : Maimonides and Spinoza on religious law / Edward C. Halper

Part V. Moral personality : enduring influences and continued borrowings

ch. 9. Dancing in chains : the baffling coexistence of legalism and exuberance in Judaic and Islamic tradition / Ze'ev Maghen

ch. 10. Individuality / Lenn E. Goodman.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [262]-272) and index.

ISBN:

9780199583157

0199583153

OCLC:

696100361