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Provisional Syllabus

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Provisional Syllabus PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS CLASSICAL JEWISH PHILOSOPHY This course provides an introduction to the classical Jewish philosophical tradition. Beginning with Philo, through Saadia Gaon and Maimonides, the course will engage the works of the leading Jewish philosophers. In examining the writings of these thinkers, we will explore a number of questions, focusing on the role of language in communicating philosophical truth. Texts: There are two required books: Philo, The Works of Philo in the Yonge translation (ISBN: 0943575931). Maimonides, The Guide for the Perplexed (ISBN: 0486203514) You will also need a Bible (Old Testament). No particular translation is required. Course requirements: I cannot emphasize enough that attendance and preparation arc 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. The Jewish holidays mean we will miss a number ofregularly scheduled classes, so it is critical that you make the commitment to being in class. This is a requirement. If you have more than four unexcused absences during the course of the semester it will affect your grade (depending on the number of absences); ten absences or more means you will not pass. We will discuss possible make- up dates Attendance docs not simply mean being physically present. You need to prepare the readings and be ready to contribute to class conversation. A brief (3-4 page) paper is due on November 1st, which will serve as your midterm. A longer (6-8 page) paper is due on December 8t 11, which will serve as your final. Course Syllabus Course Introduction; What is philosophy?; What is Jewish philosophy? The Bible: Creation. Reading: Genesis 1-2 The Bible: Sinai. Reading: Exodus 19-21 Plato: Creation. Reading: Timaeus 29d-39e Plato: Language. Reading: Cratylus 383a-390e; 428a-434a. Aristotle: Language. Reading: Categories, chap. 1-5 Aristotle: The Unmoved Mover. Reading: Metaphysics, Book 12 (Lambda), Ch. 4-7. Philo: Creation. Reading: On the Creation,1-76 (=I-XXIV). Philo: Creation. Reading: On the Creation, 77-172 (=XXV-XXXVIII) Philo: Allegory. Reading: On the Migration of Abraham,1-126 (=I-XXII). Philo: Allegory. Reading: On the Migration of Abraham,127-225 (=XXIII-XXXIX). Reading: Special Laws, Book 2 193-203 (=XXXII) Reading: Special Laws, Book 2 204-214 (=XXXIII) The End of Jewish Philosophy? Reading: Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata Book 5, ch. Philosophy and Religion in the Muslim Empire. Reading: Julius Guttman, Philosophies of Judaism, 53-68. Saadia. Reading: Doctrines and Beliefs, Prolegomena Saadia: Creation: Reading: Doctrines and Beliefs, Ch. 1, 1-4. Jewish Ncoplatonism. Reading: Ibn Gabirol, Mekor Hayiim Maimonides: Introduction. Maimonides: The Nature of the Guide. Reading: Introduction. Maimonides: Language of Scripture. Reading: 1.1, 1.12, 1.17. Language of Scripture. Reading: 1.26. Maimonides: God's Attributes. Reading: 1.54, 1.58. Maimonides: Commandments. Reading: 2.31, 2.40 Maimonides: Commandments. Reading: 3.26-28. Maimonides: Conclusion. Reading: 3.51. .
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