Jewish Philosophy: An Historical Introduction

Jewish Philosophy: An Historical Introduction surveys the history of Jewish philosophy, from the formation of the Hebrew Scriptures to the present time. The author discusses the nature of God, the origin and end of the universe, and the moral value of humanity, all from the distinct perspective of Jewish intellectual history.   The book is intended as a text for courses in Jewish philosophy, as well as for more general courses in religious thought, Judaism, and philosophy, but presupposes no prior background in these subjects. Each chapter concludes with sets of key terms and questions, as well as recommendations for further reading.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction I. The Origins The Hebrew Scriptures 2. Biblical history: the story of the Hebrew Scriptures 3. What is the Bible and how was it created? 4. The God of the Bible 5. The biblical conception of Torah 6. The conception of Israel as the Chosen People 7. The biblical view of God   Early Rabbinic Literature 8. Rabbinic history: from Alexander the Great to Muhammad 9. Major texts of rabbinic Judaism 10. The God of the early rabbis 11. The Torah of the early rabbis 12. The Jewish people of the early rabbis 13. The rabbinic view of ethics   II. Classical Jewish Philosophy Jewish Philosophy before Maimonides 14. Medieval history: from the rise of Islam to the expulsion from Christian Spain 15. Major texts and themes of Jewish philosophy
The Philosophy of Maimonides 16. The composition of The Guide of the Perplexed 17. God and the Bible 18. Creation and revelation 19. Divine providence 20. The reason for the Commandments   Jewish Philosophy after Maimonides 21. The rationalism of Gersonides 22. The non-rationalism of Crescas   III. Modern Jewish Philosophy Jewish Philosophy before Rozenzweig 23. Modern history: from Christian Spain to secular Israel 24. The turning point - Baruch Spinoza 25. Cohen and Jewish idealism 26. Buber and Jewish existentialism   The Philosophy of Rosenzweig 27. The elements: God, world, and the human 28. The course: creation, revelation, and redemption 29. The configuration: Jewish people, Christian way, and the Kingdom of God   Conclusion 30. Jewish philosophy after Rosenzweig

About the Author :
Norbert M. Samuelson is the Harold and Jean Grossman Professor in Religious Studies at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. He is the author of six books and over 200 articles, and the co-editor of three collected volumes of essays.

Review :
"Samuelson's book takes the student on a fascinating tour through the world of Judaism in general and Jewish Philosophy in particular....he succeeds in leading the reader through the ever-changing landscape of Jewish responses to western culture, to its own heritage, and to the philosophies and theologies of the surrounding religions." Dr Yehoyada Amir, Department of Jewish Thought, Hebrew University, Jerusalem "One of America's leading Jewish philosophers has written an admirable guide to the history of Jewish philosophical reflection from its Hebraic roots to Franz Rosenzweig. Highly recommended." Professor John Clayton, Chairman, Department of Religion, Boston University"