The Virtue Ethics of Levi Gersonides

Softcover Nachdruck of the original 1. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-3-319-82192-4
Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 195 Seiten, Previously published in hardcover, Format (B × H): 148 mm x 210 mm, Gewicht: 296 g

This book argues that Levi Gersonides articulates a unique model of virtue ethics among medieval Jewish thinkers. Gersonides is recognized by scholars as one of the most innovative Jewish philosophers of the medieval period. His first model of virtue is a response to the seemingly capricious forces of luck through training in endeavor, diligence, and cunning aimed at physical self-preservation. His second model of virtue is altruistic in nature. It is based on the human imitation of God as creator of the laws of the universe for no self-interested benefit, leading humans to imitate God through the virtues of loving-kindness, grace, and beneficence. Both these models are amplified through the institutions of the kingship and the priesthood, which serve to actualize physical preservation and beneficence on a larger scale, amounting to recognition of the political necessity for a division of powers.  

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Green, Alexander

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Mittelalterliche & Scholastische Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Jüdische Studien Jüdische Studien Jüdische Studien: Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Vergleichende Religionswissenschaft
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Jüdische Studien Jüdische Studien Jüdische Studien: Philosophie, Aufklärung, Wissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction.- 2. Luck and the Virtues of Physical Preservation.- 3. Altruism and the Beneficent Virtues.- 4. Justice and the Practical Wisdom of the Individual.- 5. The Ethics of Divided Political Institutions: King, Priest, and Prophet.- 6. Conclusion. 

Über Autor(innen)

Alexander Green is Assistant Professor in the Department of Jewish Thought at SUNY University at Buffalo, USA. He completed his PhD at the University of Toronto, Canada, in the Department for the Study of Religion and his MA in Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. His research focuses on medieval Jewish philosophy, ethics, and the history of biblical interpretation.