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An Analysis of Moses Maimonides's Guide for the Perplexed
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Book Description
Written by the great medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides, The Guide of the Perplexed attempts to explain the perplexities of biblical language—and apparent inconsistencies in the text—in the light of philosophy and scientific reason.
Composed as a letter to a student, The Guide aims to harmonize Aristotelian principles with the Hebrew Bible and argues that God must be understood as both unified and incorporeal. Engaging both contemporary and ancient scholars, Maimonides fluidly moves from cosmology to the problem of evil to the end goal of human happiness. His intellectual breadth and openness makes The Guide a lasting model of creative synthesis in biblical studies and philosophical theology.
Table of Contents
Ways in to the Text
Who was Moses Maimonides?
What does Guide of the Perplexed Say?
Why does Guide of the Perplexed Matter?
Section 1: Influences
Module 1: The Author and the Historical Context
Module 2: Academic Context
Module 3: The Problem
Module 4: The Author's Contribution
Section 2: Ideas
Module 5: Main Ideas
Module 6: Secondary Ideas
Module 7: Achievement
Module 8: Place in the Author's Work
Section 3: Impact
Module 9: The First Responses
Module 10: The Evolving Debate
Module 11: Impact and Influence Today
Module 12: Where Next?
Glossary of Terms
People Mentioned in the Text
Works Cited
Author(s)
Biography
Mark Scarlata received an MA from Yale Divinity School and completed his doctoral dissertation at Cambridge University. He is currently lecturer in Old Testament Studies at St. Mellitus College, London. The Revd. Dr. Scarlata specializes in Hebrew Bible, ancient Near Eastern, and Judaic studies.