I. Introduction -- the Greek and Islamic Legacy
1/26. Introduction to Jewish Philosophy; Kalam
Sirat 1-37. Medieval Jewish Philosophical Writings (MJPW, 1-22)
1/28. Neoplatonism
Sirat 57-93, MJWP, 23-87
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II. Moses Maimonides I
2/9 Synthesis and Esotericism
Guttmann, pp. 41-65. Manekin, pp. 1-21
2/11 Describing the Indescribable God
Guttmann, pp. 65-87. Manekin, pp. 22-37.
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III. Moses Maimonides II
2/16 Creation
Guttmann, pp. 89-126,MJWP 88-139; Manekin, pp. 38-53.
2/18 Prophecy
Guttmann, pp. 126-147.
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IV. Moses Maimonides III
First Assignment Due (3-4 pages): Explain Maimonides' Theory of Divine Attributes
2/23 Providence
Guttmann, pp. 149-173. Manekin, pp. 54-75.
2/25 The Law and Its Rationale. Human Happiness.
Guttmann, pp. 173-202. Manekin, pp. 76-93.
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V. The Controversy over the Study of Philosophy in the 13th and 14th Centuries
3/2 The Maimonidean Controversies and the Ban on Philosophy
Joseph ben Shem Tov Falaquera, "The Epistle of the Debate", Sirat, pp. 234-238.
3/5 Jewish Averroism
Isaac Albalag, "The Improvement of the Opinions," Sirat, pp. 238-243
Joseph ibn Kaspi, “A Refining Pot for Silver,” Sirat, pp. 322-330.
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VI. Freedom, Foreknowledge, and Astral Determinism
Maimonides' Paper Topic and Bibliography Due
3/9. The Determinism Debate
Word Download Abner of Burgos, "Treatise on Predestination," Sirat, pp. 302-322.
Word Download Isaac Polgar, "The Support of Religion"
3/11 Isaac Albalag, "The Improvement of the Opinions," MJWP 140-2. Moses of Narbonne, "The Treatise on Choice," MJWP 143-152.
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VII. Levi Gersonides
3/23 Life and Works. Sirat, pp. 282-308 (This covers all of Gersonides)
3/25 Veridical Dreams and Prophecy, Wars, pp. 5-72.
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VIII. Levi Gersonides II
3/30. God's Knowledge, Wars III (MJWP 153-191)
4/1 God's Providence , Wars, 139-210.
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IX. Hasdai Crescas
Maimonides' Paper Due -- No Extensions
4/3. Crescas and the Principles of Faith (Handout)
Crescas' Critique of Aristotelian Physics, Wolfson, 38-69
4/13. Crescas on God's Knowledge (MJWP 153-191)
Crescas on Choice and Determinism . Download here
5. Crescas on the Goal of Humans
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X Abraham Bivach and Joseph Albo
4/20 1. Abraham Bivach, The Way of Faith.
2. Joseph Albo on Law and Principles of Faith (MJWP 192-235)
4/22 3. Albo on God's Existence (Roots, pp. 102-106)
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XI. Joseph Albo
Third Assignment Due (3-4 pages). Explain Abner's and Crescas' views on Choice and God's Knowledge.
4/27 1. Divine Unity and Attributes (Roots, pp. 155-177)
2. Creation (Roots, pp. 230-237)
4/29 3. Revelation and Torah (Roots pp. 389-393)
4. God's Knowledge (Roots, pp. 492-495, 572-595)
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XII. Isaac Abrabanel and Elijah Delmedigo
5/4 1. Isaac Abrabanel, Commentary on Joshua
2. Isaac Abrabanel, The Works of God
5/6 3. Elijah Del Medigo, The Examination of the True Religion
Take Home Exam Handed Out
XIII. Leone Ebreo and Obadiah Sforno
5/11 1. Leone Ebreo (Judah Abrabanel), Dialogues on Love
Obadiah Sforno, Light of the Peoples