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Law, Reason, and Morality in Medieval Jewish Philosophy

Saadia Gaon, Bahya ibn Pakuda, and Moses Maimonides

Jonathan Jacobs author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:5th Aug '10

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Law, Reason, and Morality in Medieval Jewish Philosophy cover

The medieval Jewish philosophers Saadia Gaon, Bahya ibn Pakuda, and Moses Maimonides made significant contributions to moral philosophy in ways that remain relevant today. Jonathan Jacobs explicates shared, general features of the thought of these thinkers and also highlights their distinctive contributions to understanding moral thought and moral life. The rationalism of these thinkers is a key to their views. They argued that seeking rational understanding of Torah's commandments and the created order is crucial to fulfilling the covenant with God, and that intellectual activity and ethical activity form a spiral of mutual reinforcement. In their view, rational comprehension and ethical action jointly constitute a life of holiness. Their insights are important in their own right and are also relevant to enduring issues in moral epistemology and moral psychology, resonating even in the contemporary context. The central concerns of this study include (i) the relations between revelation and rational justification, (ii) the roles of intellectual virtue and ethical virtue in human perfection, (iii) the implications of theistic commitments for topics such as freedom of the will, the acquisition of virtues and vices, repentance, humility, and forgiveness, (iv) contrasts between medieval Jewish moral thought and the practical wisdom approach to moral philosophy and the natural law approach to it, and (v) the universality and objectivity of moral elements of Torah.

rich in ideas and arguments. Jacobs has to be congratulated on his excellent style throughout, which succeeds in dealing with a lot of difficult material in a clear, and it has to be said, pretty comprehensive manner... This is a remarkable work and will stimulate a good deal of discussion and debate. * Oliver Leaman, Journal of Semitic Studies *
Jacobs has performed an excellent service to scholars of medieval Jewish thought in showing its relevance today, as well as in proposing an authentic way to read the medieval philosophers by trying to avoid the retrospective use of post-Enlightenment categories. * Gyongyi Hegedus, Philosophy in Review *
one of the most encompassing, sensitive, and helpful appreciations of Judaism's covenant-based but legalistically-structured relationship with the deity available today. Along the way Jacobs corrects a host of misconceptions. * Heythrop Journal *
Ultimately, Jacobs book is a terrific success. An informed and attentive reader cannot help but see parallels between the medieval ideas discussed and key lines of thought today. * Brian Feltham, Ratio *

ISBN: 9780199542833

Dimensions: 223mm x 148mm x 23mm

Weight: 448g

246 pages