Maimonides' political thought: studies in ethics, law and the human ideal

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Abstract

This book presents a series of studies that cover a wide range of issues relating to Maimonides' political thought, including the basis for political and ethical knowledge; the notion of the "good"; imitatio Dei; apparent contradictions in his position on ethics; the conception of God that he attempts to inculcate to Jewish society at large; and his novel approach to the love and fear of God. Taking into account his medieval Aristotelian and Jewish sources, these explorations also deal with some of the opposing considerations that Maimonides had to balance in developing and presenting his positions on such subjects as the nature of divine law, the static vs. dynamic dimensions of Mosaic law, prophetic and rabbinic authority within Judaism, the reasons for the commandments, and martyrdom. A close reading of the manner in which he formulates his views, in light of their literary and intellectual-historical contexts, allows us a better glimpse of how profound and subtle Maimonides is as a thinker and an educator.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationAlbany
PublisherState University of New York Press
Number of pages360
ISBN (Print)9780791441909, 9780791441893
StatePublished - Apr 1999

Publication series

NameSUNY series in Jewish philosophy
PublisherState University of New York Press

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