The pale god : Israeli secularism and Spinoza's philosophy of culture / Gideon Katz ; translated by Miriam Ron and Jacky Feldman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Katz, Gideon.

Contributor:

Ron, Miriam.

Feldman, Jacky.

Series:

Israel (Boston, Mass.)

Israel : society, culture and history

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Jewish philosophy.

Philosophy, Modern.

Spinoza, Benedictus de, 1632-1677.

Spinoza, Benedictus de.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (222 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Boston : Academic Studies Press, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The Pale God examines the relationship between secularism and religious tradition. It begins with a description of the secular options as expressed by Israeli intellectuals, and describes how these options have led to a dead end. A new option must be sought, and one of the key sources for this option is the works of Spinoza. The author explains that unlike Nietzsche, who discussed "the death of God," Spinoza tried to undermine the authority of religious virtuosos and establish the image of a rational "Pale God." Such changes could channel religious tradition to the basic principles of secular political rule. The author demonstrates that the secular option is inherent in Israeli society, fits the type of secularism that Zionism instilled in the Jewish people, and complements the traditional trends deeply rooted in that society.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Three Options for Secularism in Israel

Chapter 2: Why Spinoza?

Chapter 3: Imagination and the Masses: An Outline of the Object of Politics

Chapter 4: Political Secularism

Chapter 5: The Role of the Philosopher in His Society in Times of Secularization

Chapter 6: Traditionalism as an Optional Form of Secularism in Israel

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-61811-078-0

OCLC:

797833286