Introduction

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter I
2. Contents VII
3. Introduction 1
4. Between Philosophic Optimism and Fideistic Scepticism: An Overview of Medieval Jewish Philosophy 7
5. Scepticism at the Service of Revelation? Preliminary Observations on Logic and Epistemology in Judah Halevi’s Kuzari 23
6. The Passion for Metaphysics in Maimonides’ Thought 41
7. The Purpose of the Guide of the Perplexed, Maimonides’ Theory of Parables, and Sceptical versus Dogmatic Readings of the Guide 67
8. Scepticism and Anti-Scepticism: The Case of Maimonides 86
9. The Sceptical Exegesis of Maimonides and His Followers 107
10. The Origin of the World – An Anti-Sceptical Approach in Medieval Jewish Averroism 130
11. The Sex Life of a Metaphysical Sceptic: Platonic Themes in Gersonides’ Commentary on Song of Songs 146
12. Maimonides, Crescas, and the Parable of the Castle 167
13. Index 177