Overview
Monotheism is usually considered Judaism's greatest contribution to world culture, but it is far from clear what monotheism is. This work examines the notion that monotheism is not so much a claim about the number of God as a claim about the nature of God. Seeskin argues that the idea of a God who is separate from his creation and unique is not just an abstraction but a suitable basis for worship. He examines this conclusion in the contexts of prayer, creation, sabbath observance, repentance, religious freedom, and love of God. Maimonides plays a central role in the argument both because of his importance to Jewish self-understanding and because he deals with the question of how philosophic ideas are embodied in religious ritual.
Full Product Details
Author: Kenneth Seeskin (Professor of Philosophy and Director, Center for the Writing Arts, Professor of Philosophy and Director, Center for the Writing Arts, Northwestern University)
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:
Width: 22.90cm
, Height: 1.90cm
, Length: 15.20cm
Weight: 0.562kg
ISBN: 9780195128468
ISBN 10: 019512846
Pages: 264
Publication Date: 27 January 2000
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.
Reviews
"""Seeskin continues his articulation of the importance of philosophy of religion in this carefully and passionately argued book...Seeskin is not only writing to Jews who seek to know more about Maimonides but also to secular or Christian philosophers of religion... a highly accessible book."" Reli gious Studies Review"
Admirers of Kenneth Seeskin's writing in philosophy will not be disappointed with this book. Oliver Leaman, Religious Studies, Vol. 37 the quality of the argument and analysis in the book is first class throughout and the reader will be frequently stimulated by the approach which the author adopts. He has a real mastery of the topic, both the ancient and medieval aspects of it, together with its modern developments. and his style is entirely without mystification or redundancy. In short, the book is a pleasure to read and sets standards of exposition on this issue which it will be difficult to follow. Oliver Leaman, Religious Studies, Vol. 37 Kenneth Seeskin ... has bravely setout to rescue the philosophical vision of God, and has done so in an original and fascinating way ... fascinating and well argued book. Nicholas de Lange, The Expository Times, Jan 2001, Vol. 112, No.4.
Kenneth Seeskin ... has bravely setout to rescue the philosophical vision of God, and has done so in an original and fascinating way ... fascinating and well argued book. * Nicholas de Lange, The Expository Times, Jan 2001, Vol. 112, No.4. * the quality of the argument and analysis in the book is first class throughout and the reader will be frequently stimulated by the approach which the author adopts. He has a real mastery of the topic, both the ancient and medieval aspects of it, together with its modern developments. and his style is entirely without mystification or redundancy. In short, the book is a pleasure to read and sets standards of exposition on this issue which it will be difficult to follow. * Oliver Leaman, Religious Studies, Vol. 37 * Admirers of Kenneth Seeskin's writing in philosophy will not be disappointed with this book. * Oliver Leaman, Religious Studies, Vol. 37 *
