Judaism A Contemporary Philosophical Investigation

Judaism, as a religion and a way of life, has guided millions of lives and profoundly influenced its younger sisters, Christianity and Islam, as well as contributing major themes and norms to the liberal and humanistic traditions of the West. Not all Jews are religious, and not all of Judaism is philosophical; but at its core Judaism rests on a complex of values and ideas that address the abiding concerns of philosophy and perennial questions about the meaning and purpose of life, the nature of the universe, the roots and fruits of human responsibility, the character of justice, the worth of nature, and the dignity of persons. Judaism: A Contemporary Philosophical Investigation examines some of the central questions that such ideas raise, drawing on the ancient and more recent sources of Jewish thought, as viewed from a contemporary philosophical standpoint. This book is an ideal introduction for students of religion and philosophy who want to gain an understanding of the key themes and values of Judaism.

Table of Contents Preface ………………… Chapter 1 – Biblical Logic ………… Chapter 2 – Two Epiphanies ……….. Chapter 3 – Mosaic Liberalism …………. Chapter 4 – Holiness ……………….. Chapter 5 – God and Israel as Lovers …………… Chapter 6 – Regrouping …………. Abbreviations …………… Dramatis Personae ……………. Index ………………..

Lenn E. Goodman is among America’s foremost Jewish philosophers and is the author of God of Abraham, On Justice, In Defense of Truth, Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself (his Gifford Lectures), and numerous other philosophical works. He is Professor of Philosophy and Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Vanderbilt University, USA. Series editors: Chad Meister is Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Bethel College, USA. Charles Taliaferro is Professor of Philosophy at St. Olaf College, USA.