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MODERN JEWISH PHILOSOPY FROM SPINOZA TO RELIGIOUS SOCIALISM Instructor: Elliot Ratzman <[email protected]> office hours: Miller Hall (TBA) T/Th 2-2:50, 6-6:30 Tu/Th (4:30-5:50) 12 College Ave, Rm 107, Jewish Studies 563:312 cross-listed with Philosophy 730:312 Is modern Reason compatible with biblical Revelation? Is a Jewish philosophy an oxymoron? Is Judaism essentially about social justice? Beginning with the heretical philosopher Spinoza, we'll examine the giants of Jewish thought— religious reformers, philosophers, and theologians—wrestling with the challenge of modernity, politics, and multiculturalism. We will examine some of the religious concepts of Judaism in a philosophical light. Topics will include: the essence of Judaism, the nature of law, religion and state, God and evil, the status of women and nonJews, the legacy of the Holocaust. Readings from: Martin Buber, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Judith Plaskow, Emmanuel Levinas, Michael Walzer, and others. Philosophy should for everybody! But students will no previous courses in theory or philosophy should check in with the instructor. Required Books Spinoza, Theological-Political Treatise, (Shirley Translation) 2nd Edition, Hackett. $17 ISBN-13: 978-0872206076 Soloveitchik, Rabbi Joseph, Halakhic Man. $22, ISBN-13: 978-0827603974 Plaskow, Judith, Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective. $17 ISBN-13: 978-0060666842 Green, Arthur, Radical Judaism: Rethinking God and Tradition. $22 ISBN-13: 978-0300152326 Requirements Writing Assignments: Three short papers on issues from the class material. One final research project on a topic not directly covered in class. In-class Participation: exercises, workouts, quizzes. Final Exam. Learning Goals: Students will become acquainted with the major figures, issues and concepts of modern Jewish thought Students will learn to examine religious discourse in a philosophical light Students will learn how to communicate complex issues into accessible prose and clear, civil conversation Reading Schedule: Jewish philosophy and theological reflection entails a good deal of history, culture, and religious story, making the theoretical part more enjoyable and example-laden. Tuesday’s session will cover approximately thirty pages of religious philosophy. Thursday’s session will cover approximately twenty pages of material. Students are expected to read approximately ten pages of material a day, about an hour’s worth of work. Week One Introduction: A “Race of Philosophers”? Pre-Modern Jewish Philosophy Week Two Spinoza and the Naturalist Critique of Judaism Week Three Spinoza and Political Philosophy Week Four The Jewish Enlightenment and Moses Mendelssohn Week Five 19th Century Philosophers on/and Judaism Week Six Judaism as a Philosophical Project Week Seven Judaism and Nature and the Nature of Judaism Week Eight Jewish Philosophy as an Ethical Project: Emmanuel Levinas RU-Spring Break Week Nine Existentialism of the Law: Rav Soloveitchik Week Ten Feminist and Queer Challenges to Judaism Week Eleven Jewish Ethics as a Philosophical Way of Life: the Discipline of Mussar Week Twelve Jewish Political Philosophy Week Thirteen Post-Modern Mysticism? Week Fourteen Jewish Naturalism Week Fifteen Final Thoughts