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CLASSICAL JEWISH PHILOSOPHY Jewish Studies: 01:563:311 Philosophy: 01:730:311 Tuesday/Thursday 4:30-5:50pm Is religion compatible with reason? This was a major concern for medieval philosophers. This course will examine the positions of major Jewish philosophers from the Middle Ages on a set number of issues: ethics and politics, religion and reason, the problem of evil, and the true conduct of life. We will examine how Judaism becomes recast as a school of philosophy in the classical sense: as a spiritual discipline attuned to the nature of the world. The course will also keep track of the development of Islamic and Christian philosophy, their influence on- and dialogue with- Jewish thought. Philosophy is for everybody and this course will accommodate hard workers, seeking to make the debates of the past relevant for thinking about similar issues in the present. Course requirements: I cannot emphasize enough that attendance and preparation are key to your success in the course. The class is built on our reading and discussing philosophical texts, so being part of the classroom community is essential. Attendance does not simply mean being physically present. You need to prepare the readings and be ready to contribute to class conversation. Assignments: A brief (5-6 page) paper is due in early November, which will serve as your midterm. A longer (6-8 page) paper is due in early December. There will be a final—or what I like to call “celebration of all that we’ve learned—that will address the various issues and debates, figures and schools of philosophy under discussion. Required Texts: Jehudah Halevi, The Kuzari: An Argument for the Faith of Israel Twersky, Isodore (ed). A Maimonides Reader Week One: Philosophy and Religious Thought in the Middle Ages Week Two: Philo and the Legacy of Jewish Philosophy Week Three: Judaism as a Way of Life: Duties of the Heart Week Four: Judaism and the Virtues: Duties of the Heart Week Five: Judaism Against other Religions: HaLevi’s Kuzari Week Six: Judaism Against Philosophy: HaLevi’s Kuzari Week Seven: Judaism Defended: HaLevi’s Kuzari Week Eight: Maimonides on Ethics Week Nine: Maimonides on Bible Week Ten: Maimonides on Politics Week Eleven: The Nature of Prophesy Week Twelve: The Problem of Evil Week Thirteen: The Problem of Evil THANKSGIVING Week Fourteen: The Status of Christianity Week Fifteen: From Medieval to Modern Final