In Jewish Faith and Modern Science, renowned Jewish philosopher and rabbi Norbert Samuelson argues that modern Jewish philosophy has died_that it has failed to address the challenges to traditional beliefs posed by scientific advances, and is therefore no longer relevant to Jews today. Samuelson confronts these challenges head-on, critically reflecting on how all of the forms of contemporary Judaism, from orthodox to liberal to secular to new age, can address questions raised by the latest scientific advances. Considering questions ranging from the existence of the soul, to the relationship between God and particle physics, to the debate over when life begins and ends, Samuelson paves the way for a rebirth of Jewish philosophy applicable to life in the modern world.
Norbert M. Samuelson is Grossman Chair of Jewish Studies at Arizona State University. An internationally renowned scholar of Jewish philosophy, he is widely published in the field.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 The Death of Jewish Philosophy Chapter 3 Introduction I Chapter 4 Chapter 1. Misunderstanding Physics and Astronomy Chapter 5 Chapter 2. Misunderstanding Linguistics and Epistemology Chapter 6 Chapter 3. Misunderstanding Psychology Chapter 7 Chapter 4. Misunderstanding Medicine Chapter 8 Chapter 5. Misunderstanding History Chapter 9 The Rebirth of Jewish Philosophy Chapter 10 Introduction II Chapter 11 Chapter 6. Interpreting Creation: God, the World, and the Physical Sciences Chapter 12 Chapter 7. Interpreting Redemption: The World, Humanity, and the Human Sciences Chapter 13 Summary and Conclusion Chapter 14 Bibliography
What People are Saying About This
Philip Clayton
Norbert M. Samuelson's analysis of the death of Jewish philosophy is learned and deeply insightful. It is also courageous: few authors focus so bluntly on the most controversial issues in contemporary Jewish thought and practice. Essential reading for those interested in the renewal of Jewish philosophy within the contemporary world.
Carl Feit
At last a book on Jewish philosophy by someone has the courage to point out that the emperor has no clothes. This long overdue, thought-provoking book opens the path for a rebirth of modern Jewish thought.
Peter Ochs
Jewish Faith and Modern Science offers a fresh and edgy challenge for the entire discipline of Jewish Philosophy. It is a shofar blast that sends this call to today's Jewish philosophers: 'Awake from your humanistic slumber, look around and remember that disciples of Torah also live in the natural world. The Torah itself remembers that this world is also a place of God's word!'
Steven Nadler
Norbert Samuelson is one of our finest scholars of Jewish thought. His reflections on the past and future of Jewish philosophy show a learned and incisive mind at work. This book will no doubt stimulate great debate, and not just in academic circles.
Zachary J. Braiterman
Brilliantly conceived, Jewish Faith and Modern Science is a welcome and timely addition to the growing body of literature whose contributors seek to close the gap between religion and the natural sciences. Opening out new territory in the study of modern Judaism, Norbert Samuelson asks his readers to reconsider the major topic of Jewish under the impact of contemporary developments in all the sciences, from theoretical physics to the bio-sciences and technology.
Robert Cummings Neville
This book is a bombshell for most forms of religious apologetics and sets a new agenda for honest inquiring people of faith. Although the power of this book comes in its critique of the older traditions of Jewish philosophy, the care with which Norbert Samuelson analyzes those traditions makes it a good introduction to Jewish philosophy in general. Most aspects of his critique apply to traditional Christian philosophy and theology as well.
