The Cambridge Companion to Maimonides [Paperback]

Discusses the problems Maimonides encountered, showing the depth and breadth of his philosophical thought.This book contains twelve essays by leading scholars on the life, thought, and influence of one of Judaism's greatest thinkers: Moses Maimonides (1138-1204). Philosopher, Rabbi, Bible commentator, physician, Talmudic expositor and social commentator, Maimonides wrote on subjects that touch every aspect of life. No other Jewish thinker from this period is still read with such intense interest or has aroused as much controversy. These essays discuss the problems he encountered and lay out the depth and breadth of his contribution.This book contains twelve essays by leading scholars on the life, thought, and influence of one of Judaism's greatest thinkers: Moses Maimonides (1138-1204). Philosopher, Rabbi, Bible commentator, physician, Talmudic expositor and social commentator, Maimonides wrote on subjects that touch every aspect of life. No other Jewish thinker from this period is still read with such intense interest or has aroused as much controversy. These essays discuss the problems he encountered and lay out the depth and breadth of his contribution.Moses ben Maimon, known to English speaking audiences as Maimonides (1138-1204), represents the high point of Jewish rationalism in the middle ages and played a pivotal role in the transition of philosophical interest from the Islamic East to the Christian West. His greatest philosophical work, The Guide of the Perplexed had a decisive impact on all subsequent Jewish thought and is still the subject of intense scholarly debate. The twelve essays in this volume by recognized scholars offer a comprehensive interpretation of his life and thought.1. Moses Maimonides: an intellectual portrait Joel Kraemer; 2. The Guide and Maimonides' philosophical sources Alfred L. Ivry; 3. Metaphysics and its transcendence Kenneth Seeskin; 4. Maimonides' epistemology Josef Stern; 5. Maimonides' philosophy of sciences Gad Freudenthal; lc"