Jewish and Islamic philosophy : crosspollinations in the classic age /

The seven essays in this book discuss determinism, causality, and voluntarism--in actions, moral qualities, and history. Goodman (Vanderbilt Univ.) celebrates the power of philosophical ideas to "answer questions and settle issues, to reconcile values seemingly in conflict and to resolve apparent paradoxes." He describes Bahya's solution of the problem of paradox: to demand trust in God--perfect acceptance of God's judgement--and not to reject human skills and endeavors, but to use them "in full recognition of their provision by God as instrumentalities of His plan." Goodman delineates Maimonides' support for voluntarism--both of man and God--and evolution based on creation and a Torah that must be interpreted dynamically, and the role of human freedom within Spinoza's complex, comprehensive determinism. Goodman's nearly poetic writing is vivid and accessible beyond narrow professional confines, although easier for those with some familiarity with Islamic thinkers or with the philosophic issues. This work argues forcefully that cross-pollination not only afforded freshness and strength to the giants of Islamic and Jewish philosophy in 11th and 12th century Spain, but that it offers the same to us today. Recommended for general readers and for graduate students, faculty, and researchers. S. Ward; University of Denver