1. Introduction
Life and Works
Gersonides’ Philosophical Environment
Motives and Methods
Notes
2. ‘The Story of Creation’
Gersonides’ Cosmological Conundrums
The World is not eternal; it is created
The world is indestructible
Creation ex nihilo is false
Philosophical cosmology and biblical exegesis
Notes
2. God and His Attributes
How can the existence of God be proved?
How can we speak of God?
What does God know?
Does God care for us?
What can God do? Are miracles possible?
Seymour Feldman taught philosophy at Rutgers University from 1963 until his retirement. He is the author of 'The Wars of the Lord' by Levi ben Gershom (Gersonides) (1984–99) and 'Philosophy in a Time of Crisis: Don Isaac Abravanel–Defender of the Faith' (2003), and editor of both Spinoza's 'The Ethics, Select Letters and Treatise on the Emendation of the Intellect' (1992) and his 'Theological-Political Treatise' (second edition, 1998).
Reviews 'Will be welcomed by all serious students of Jewish thought
[...] definitely worth the effort. Recommended.'
Barry Dov Walfish, AJL Reviews
'An extremely welcome, important, and long-overdue addition to the
literature ... the first monograph in English to look at a broad
range of Gersonides' philosophical ideas [...] Feldman does a
terrific job of exposition and philosophical examination. His
analyses are clear and accessible without being over-simplified. He
does great justice to Gersonides' thought, as well as to its
historico-philosophical contexts. The book is also a pleasure to
read. This is just the kind of study on Gersonides that we have
long needed, and one can only hope'Without question Feldman
presents a superb summary of the totality of Gersonides' Jewish
philosophy in a single volume that is carefully reasoned and
clearly written. Certainly no philosophers or intellectual
historians of medieval thought can consider themselves academically
literate without at least some familiarity with the writings of
Gersonides, and Feldman does a better job than anyone else in
providing a reliable foundation for that minimal philosophical
knowledge. His book should become a standard text.'
Norbert Samuelson, H-Judaic
'An impressive achievement [...] a useful book for anyone
interested in medieval Jewish philosophy, either specialist or
novice.'
Jewish Book World
'A succinct conspectus of Gersonides' positions on the pivotal
issues of medieval Jewish philosophy and the arguments he offers in
their favour [...] Feldman's style is lucid and engaging. In the
course of contrasting Gersonides with Maimonides, who, Gersonides
felt, begged some important questions, Feldman offers some valuable
insights from which the myriad of Maimonidean specialists may yet
profit.'
Y. Tzvi Langermann, Journal of the History of Philosophy
'A comprehensive survey [...] reflects a deep and thorough
acquaintance with the philosophical, as well as with the Jewish
tradition. The book therefore is both an inviting introduction for
students and an important contribution to research that should be
read by historians of Jewish philosophy.'
Ruth Glasner, Shofar
‘A comprehensive look at one of the most formidable Jewish
philosophers.’
Ben Rothke, Times of Israel
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