Medieval Jewish Philosophy and Its Literary Forms
Aaron W Hughes editor James T Robinson editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Indiana University Press
Published:11th Jul '19
Should be back in stock very soon
Too often the study of philosophical texts is carried out in ways that do not pay significant attention to how the ideas contained within them are presented, articulated, and developed. This was not always the case. The contributors to this collected work consider Jewish philosophy in the medieval period, when new genres and forms of written expression were flourishing in the wake of renewed interest in ancient philosophy. Many medieval Jewish philosophers were highly accomplished poets, for example, and made conscious efforts to write in a poetic style. This volume turns attention to the connections that medieval Jewish thinkers made between the literary, the exegetical, the philosophical, and the mystical to shed light on the creativity and diversity of medieval thought. As they broaden the scope of what counts as medieval Jewish philosophy, the essays collected here consider questions about how an argument is formed, how text is put into the service of philosophy, and the social and intellectual environment in which philosophical texts were produced.
"Explores very crucial question that have been given their due and in the process shatters some stereotypes about what it means to do philosophy. The essays make a strong argument for considering genre not simply as a matter of style, but as a matter of substance."—James A. Diamond, author of Maimonides and the Shaping of the Jewish Canon
"Succinctly put, this book argues that form matters. When medieval Jewish philosophy is analyzed as a socially constructed practice, it emerges as nuanced, complex, compelling, and meaningful, inviting Jews and non-Jews to appreciate it anew."—Hava Tirosh-Samuelson, author of The Legacy of Hans Jonas: Judaism and the Phenomenon of Life
"This well-written, accessible collection demonstrates a maturation in Jewish studies and medieval philosophy. It convincingly opens up the canon of philosophical texts and authors, and will enrich readers' understanding of the diverse literary forms of medieval Jewish philosophical projects. . . . Highly recommended."—Choice
"Comprising sophisticated scholarship and realizing its goal of challenging conventions in the study of medieval Jewish philosophy, [Medieval Jewish Philosophy] convincingly advocates for a fruitful approach that, it may be hoped, others will be inspired to pursue."—H-Judaic
ISBN: 9780253042521
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 522g
376 pages