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The most famous of all medieval Jewish thinkers, Moses Maimonides is known for his monumental contributions to Jewish law, theology and medicine, and for an influence that extends into the wider world. His remarkable work, The Guide for the Perplexed, is notoriously difficult to interpret, since Maimonides aimed it at those already versed in both philosophy and the rabbinic tradition and used literary techniques to test his readers and force them to think through his arguments.
Daniel Davies explores Maimonides' approaches to issues of perennial and universal concern: human nature and the soul, the problem of evil, the creation of the world, the question of God's existence, and negative theology. He addresses the unusual ways in which Maimonides presented his arguments, contextualising Maimonides' thought in the philosophy and religion of his own time, as well as elucidating it for today's readers.
This philosophically rich introduction is an essential guide for students and scholars of medieval philosophy, philosophy of religion, theology and Jewish studies.
List of contents
Acknowledgements 1 Biography and Introduction
2 Life and Humanity
3 The Problem of Evil
4 Creation and Infinity
5 The Nature of Belief in God's Existence
6 Necessary Existence and Divine Attributes
7 Diverse Interpretations and Disputed Instructions: Reading the Guide for the Perplexed
Further Reading
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Daniel Davies is a philosopher who has worked at the Universities of Cambridge and Hamburg.
Summary
The most famous of all medieval Jewish thinkers, Moses Maimonides is known for his monumental contributions to Jewish law, theology and medicine, and for an influence that extends into the wider world. His remarkable work, The Guide for the Perplexed, is notoriously difficult to interpret, since Maimonides aimed it at those already versed in both philosophy and the rabbinic tradition and used literary techniques to test his readers and force them to think through his arguments.
Daniel Davies explores Maimonides' approaches to issues of perennial and universal concern: human nature and the soul, the problem of evil, the creation of the world, the question of God's existence, and negative theology. He addresses the unusual ways in which Maimonides presented his arguments, contextualising Maimonides' thought in the philosophy and religion of his own time, as well as elucidating it for today's readers.
This philosophically rich introduction is an essential guide for students and scholars of medieval philosophy, philosophy of religion, theology and Jewish studies.
Report
'A welcome addition to general expositions of Maimonides' thought. Much more than an introduction, this book is a deeply philosophical encounter with some of the major themes of Maimonides' writings, one that is thoroughly conversant with classical and contemporary perspectives. Daniel Davies offers original interpretations of thorny issues, sensible approaches to scholarly disputes, and a steady guide for beginning and advanced readers of Maimonides.'
Charles Manekin, University of Maryland
'Many discussions of Maimonides concentrate on interpretation and methodology. But Davies goes to the heart of Maimonides as a philosopher, expounding with great clarity his most powerful arguments and original positions.'
John Marenbon, University of Cambridge
'Authored by one of the world's top Maimonides scholars, this outstanding and comprehensive book is one of the best gateways into the world of the thinker who single-handedly created Jewish philosophy. A unique literary and scholarly achievement, this is one of the best works of Jewish philosophy of recent times.'
Yitzhak Y. Melamed, Johns Hopkins University
