Medieval Jewish Philosophical Writings

This volume presents translations of seven prominent medieval Jewish rationalists covering topics both theological and philosophical.

Charles Manekin (Edited by)

9780521840231, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 3 January 2008

302 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.57 kg

Medieval Jewish intellectuals living in Muslim and Christian lands were strongly concerned to recover what they regarded as a 'lost' Jewish philosophical tradition. As part of this project they transmitted and produced many philosophical and scientific works and commentaries, as well as philosophical commentary on scripture, in Judaeo-Arabic and Hebrew, the principal literary languages of medieval Jewry. This volume presents translations of seven prominent medieval Jewish rationalists: Saadia Gaon, Solomon ibn Gabirol, Moses Maimonides, Isaac Albalag, Moses of Narbonne, Levi Gersonides, Hasdai Crescas and Joseph Albo - including, for the first time in English, the complete Falaquera abridgement of Gabirol's Source of Life. These works range over topics that are both theological (e.g. the creation of the world) and philosophical (e.g. determinism and free choice), but they are characterized by two overarching principles: the unity of truth, and its accessibility to human reason.

Saadia Gaon, from 'The Book of the Beliefs and Convictions'
Solomon ibn Gabirol and Shem Tov b. Joseph Falaquera, 'Excerpts from 'The Source of Life''
Moses Maimonides, from 'The Guide of the Perplexed'
Isaac Albalag, from 'The Emendation of the 'Opinions', Moses of Narbonne (Narboni), 'The Treatise on Choice'
Levi Gersonides, from 'The Wars of the Lord'
Hasdai Crescas, from 'The Light of the Lord'
Joseph Albo, from 'The Book of Principles'.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ], Western philosophy: Medieval & Renaissance, c 500 to c 1600 [HPCB], Philosophy [HP]