Maimonides' Moral Psychology : The Emotions, the Virtues, and the Good Life.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Green, Alexander.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Jewish ethics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (200 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2026.

Summary:

Maimonides' Moral Psychology is the first book to study the emotions in Maimonides' thought, contributing to the growing scholarship on Jewish ethics and philosophy, medieval thought and history, religious studies, and the study of the emotions more broadly.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction

Two Conflicting Models of the Soul and Meaning of Human Life

The Idolatry of Uncontrolled Passions

Method

Chapter Overview

1 Love of God, Torah, and the Contemplation of Nature

Torah and the Contemplation of Nature

Contemplation of God, Nature, and Philosophic Eros

Love and Pluralism of Thought

Love of God and Danger of Tyranny

King Solomon: Lover of Wisdom or Lover of Tyranny?

2 Idolatry, Desire, and Moderation

1. The Philosophical Foundation of Idolatry Is That Matter Is All of Reality

2. Materialism as a Worldview Leads to Hedonism

3. Idolatry as a Theological Projection of Materialism and Hedonism

4. The Two Opposing Extremes of Idolatry

4a. Epicurean Idolatry

4b. Kalam Idolatry

Two Responses to Desire: Moderation and Holiness

Conclusion

3 Fear and Courage: Physical, Moral, and Intellectual

Courage as Moderation in Rabbinic Judaism

Courage as a Moral Virtue in Eight Chapters and Laws of Character Traits

The Psychological Origin of Fear

Problematic Fear I: Fear of Divine Punishment

Problematic Fear II: Fear of Physical Death and Idolatry

Physical Courage

Moral and Political Courage

Intellectual Courage

A. Abraham's Intellectual Revolution: Contemplative and Pedagogical Courage

B. Moses' Gradual and Legislative Courage

C. Solomon's Hermeneutical and Esoteric Courage

Fear as Awe

4 Anger and Pride, the Public and Private Realm of Leadership

Aristotle on the Value and Necessity of Anger and Honor

The Danger of Pride and the Ideal of Humility in the Commentary on Pirkei Avot

Anger and the Destruction of Prophecy in the Commentary on Pirkei Avot, Book of Commandments, and the Letters.

Anger and Pride in Leadership in the Mishneh Torah

A. The King

B. The Judge

C. The Teacher of Torah

D. The Parent

E. The Slave Master

F. The Wealthy

Divine Anger in the Torah in the Guide

5 Justice and Compassion

Justice in Nature and the Torah

Compassion in Nature and the Torah

Conflicts between Justice and Compassion in the Torah

A. The War on Idolatry and the Humanity of Idolaters

B. Economic Self-Sufficiency and Charitable Giving

C. Animals for Food and the Compassionate Treatment of Animals

Justice without Compassion, Compassion without Justice

References

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-19-780695-3

0-19-780696-1

OCLC:

1583402305