Jewish philosophy

Jewish philosophy 1

Podcast-1

• Pute, Talmudic, Mishna
 

• What makes philosophy Jewish
Need not be Jew to write jewish philosophy. No such thing as Jewish Philosphy.

Issac- Historian of Jewish Philosphy.

Writing in Heberew is not necessary in Jewish Philosphy.

 

The content makes jewish philosophy questioning Judaism.

Law of Moses valid. What does it mean to be chosen people

“Jewish Philosphysing their traditions”. Questioning  their traditions.

Do human have free will?

How can we explain suffering of good people by God?

 

• Talmud- Conversations about law with commentrators.
 

• Philosphy and the bible- Rabbanic literature is philosophical.
 

Discuss metaphysical, epistemological issues.

Excellent logicians

 

Primary aim of the text is religious and not philosophical.

 

 

Jewish Philosphers are more universal in their scope. Rational, metaphysical and epistemological

 

Bible- ecclesiastics , Joe are philosophical writings in bible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Haraidui Tradition- You cannot be religious and phiolospher
 

 

Knowledge are of two kinds.

1. Mosaic Law- Jewish
2. Human intellectual- Greek
 

 

Any knowledge independent of God can be threatening.

 

“The guide of the perplexed”- Good Book- Discussion on philosophy and Judaism.

 

• Philo of Alexandria- Lived from  from 20 BC. Hellenized Jewish Philospher.
Present Judaism to the pagans. Philosphy to the jews. He was a bridge between Athens and Jerusalem.

Writes works on Creation.

Infuses his writing with neo-pythagoraon account of Numbers.

 

• Pagan Philosphers
Jews were taking inspiration from Pagan Philosphers. Islamic Kalam.

In Spain, Anda Lucia, they are writing Neo platonic works.

 

 

 

Is a world created or Eternal- reading Aristotle or Neo Platanism.

 

 

• Science-Developing science in 17th Century. Until 17th Century most philosophers were depending on natural science.
Astrology and Astronomy – Both dealt with celestial bodies.

 

 

• Garsonities- Philospher.. Major work in 1329
He has been overshadowed by menomitics.

 

Does  God know particulars? In that case can humans still have freedom?


Future is in itself is indeterminate.

 Jewish philosophy 2


Pod cast- 2

Journey from Spinoza to the Present day

 

Spinoza- Lived in Netherlands.

Relationship to previous Jewish Philosophy.

Very Controversial Figure.

Spinoza was bought up in Amsterdam.

He read works in Jewish Philosophy.

Read Mynomenities, Read del modico books.

He was excommunicated by the Jewish Community. May be heretical views. Never pay temple dues.

19-21. He had turned into a writer against mymonities.

 

 

Moses Mendelson

Jewish Philosphers have left the Ghetto and are in European  communities. Mendelson is now writing in german and presenting a rational discussion in Judaism.

He wrote a book on”Jerusalem” and challenged the Protestants.  Talks about law of revelation and ethical  humanistic precepts.

Any human being can have humanistic precepts by intelligence alone, independent of Judaism.

 

 

Herman Cohen- Major proponet of Kahn philosophy.

He is read by Neo contaian eyes.

 

 

 

 

• Effects of Holocaust on Theology
 

Destroyed Libraries, Philosphers. Great amount of personal toll on Jewish Phiolosphy.

 

After holocaust jews are still believing in just GOD.

 

How can we explain the fact that humans suffer if God is Omnipotent?

 

Explain God without giving up faith in God.

 

No Jew can believe in God after holocaust.

How can you possibly believe in Good diety after the holocaust.

 

 

• Creation of State of Israel.
 

Jews have been engaged in state of Israel. There are whole new set of questions after the creation of state of Israel.

 

 

• Feminism
Movement took of in 1960s
Abrahamic tradition originated with Judaism.

Judaism is not an egalitarian religion. Does not include females.

 

Can I be a Jew and a feminist? Just like Can I be  Jew and a philosopher?

 

• Jewish Existentialism
 

Contemproary Exiustentilism

 

Hussrell.

 

http://www.textetc.com/theory/
 

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/cohen/
 

http://www.mennoniteisrael.org/origin.cfm
 

 

Maartin Bubber.

 

 

 “I” cannot reside alone. It is always in conversation with the other.

 

Heiddegers view of existentialism.

 

 Jewish philosophy -3

Podcast-3

 

Greatest Jewish Philosphers of the 21st century.

 

Mmenomities adopted the ideas of Aristotle.

 

Steven Nadler- editor at Cambridge of Jewish Philosphy. Univ of Wisconsin.

 

He is a biographer of Spinoza.

 

Mmenomities-  Reconciled the Teaching of torah with Aristotle.

 

Judaism can be placed on a clear rational  religion.

 

 

 

Philopshy by its nature is to clarify truth, Reason by questions about ethics, about the world.

Philosphy must precede by rational questioning.

 

Mnnemonities are rational approach to God and Faith.

 

How can you live in a world where there is so much suffering?

 

Mnnemoties argued that we must not treat god as a practical agent.

 

Everything in this cosmic earth that exists are due to causality.

 

“God of  Perplexed”

 

God did part the red sea. Jews are the Chosen people by God. 

 

Are Jewish People especially chosen by Law?

They have been given law.

Moses spoke to God face to Face.

Moses gave the law to the Israelites. The act of giving law is itself is the chosen people.

 

 

Truth Revealed By Reason Vs Truth Revealed by God.

 

Reading Literally Vs Reading Figuratively- Preserve truth in the Hebrew scripture.

 
Perplexed- any one who has not been brought up in the knowledge of Torah.

Perplexed person also has studied Aristotle.

 

Torah tells god created universe.

Aristotle tells that God is the first mover and that Universe is eternal.

Perplexed- Disconnect between Aristotle and Torah.

Guide to perplexed- Understanding creator and created.

 

Various Source of Evils.

Evils against humans

Evil deeds on ourselves- to pursue.

Evil Deeds- By course of nature.

 

 

Imperfections in the world. Sin ?

Why doesn’t god prevent it?

 

Mnnemomities  belives we bear total responsibility regarding all evils.

 

Mammionides can be understood by anybody by what human beings can do to lead a good life by accepting higher rational understanding. What we are and how we relate to nature?

 

 Jewish philosophy 4

Podcast-4

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Perplexed-Vol-1/dp/0226502309/ref=pd_luc_sbs_02_02_t_lh#reader_0226502309
 

Mendelson- Lived in Germany in the 16th Century. Wrote on European Enlightement.

 

Mendelson- Aim of Philosphy

Was to improve people’s life was his aim of Philosphy.

In context of German enlightment, philosophy must improve peoples life.

Philosphy is suppose to improve people’s life.

 

German Enlightement- What is Enlightenment?

Kant- As mans emergence from immaturity. Englughtment is certain disposition of mind. Certain frame of mind. It is rebelliouis. Should not rely on tradition. But take a rational approach.

 

Mendelson- Enlightment is a state. Abiltity to reason correctly based on rational conviction.

Only one aspect of human development.

Crucial components to development are ethical, appreciation to art, enluightment etc.

 

“Enlightment is Dare to Know”

“Enlightment was a State”

 

Discard traditional beliefs if they are immoral. If it is causing more harm than good.

 

 

Mendelson was an active member of a Jewish Community. He received a traditional Jewish Education which was learning the Talmund.

He taught himself 5 languages.

 

Spinoza- Was thrown out of Jewish Community.

His work on theology undermined Jewish and Christian faith.

 

German Philosphers- Wolf and Libnetz.

They were able to solve medieval philosophy problems.

They could prove the existence of a good god who could care about individuals.

Religion and Science can be reconciled to each other during mendelson era.

 

“Mendelson Publuished a book called Jersualem”.. Book based on relation between church and State.

Religion and state both have the same aim . Happiness and perfection for its people.

Church was only concerened  wth people of intention. Intention was  based on rational conviction and not coerce its powers.

Mendelson rejected the idea of one religion.

He believed that state and religion must work in tandem to promote happiness and freedom of its people.

 

Haskallah- Jewish Enlightment

Promoters of the jewish Englightment

Reforms in Jewish Education- remove fantatical means.

Regard the fellow citizens as their brothers.

 

Mendelson advocated reformed  Jewish movement.

 

 

Mendelson based that one must base religious practice on conviction.

 

 

Religious Tolerance

Why would God created the world?

God created the world was for Human Benefit and promote Human flourishing.

Life without Liberty is not worth Living.