Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. The Reason for the Mitzvot xii
4. Author’s Preface to First Edition (1942) xiii
5. Translator’s Preface xv
6. Chapter 1. The Nature of the Question 1
7. Chapter 2. The Biblical View 5
8. Chapter 3. The Views of the Rabbis 15
9. Chapter 4. The Views of the Hellenistic Jews 34
10. Chapter 5. Views of the Medieval Philosophers 47
11. Chapter 6. Saadia Gaon 51
12. Chapter 7. Baḥya ben Joseph Ibn Pakudah 57
13. Chapter 8. Rabbi Judah Halevi 65
14. Chapter 9. Abraham Ibn Ezra 76
15. Chapter 10. Abraham Ibn Daud 85
16. Chapter 11. Maimonides 95
17. Chapter 12. Gersonides 120
18. Chapter 13. Ḥasdai Crescas 127
19. Chapter 14. Joseph Albo 141
20. Chapter 15. Don Isaac Abravanel 149
21. Chapter 16. Summary of the Medieval Thinkers 159
22. Chapter 17. Principal Conclusions 165
23. Abbreviations 184
24. Notes 185
25. Glossary 197
26. Index 200