Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Academic Studies Press is pleased to announce the publication of Jewish Thought in Dialogue: Essays on Thinkers, Theologies and Moral Theories by David Shatz (Yeshiva University). This title is now available through all library wholesalers and distributors. For more information about this title and to order directly, please visit us at www.academicstudiespress.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Jewish Thought in Dialogue: Essays on Thinkers, Theologies and Moral Theories by David Shatz ISBN 978-1-934843-42-0 (cloth) $65.00 / £54.50 480 pp., January 2010 Topic Area(s): Jewish Philosophy Bibliographic Information: 1. Jewish philosophy. 2. Jewish law. 3. Jewish ethics. 4. Rabbinical literature--Historyand criticism. 5. Bible. O.T.--Criticism, interpretation, etc. 6. Maimonides, Moses, 1135-1204. 7. Kook, Abraham Isaac, 1865-1935. 8. Soloveitchik, Joseph Dov. 9. Hartman, David. 10. Wurzburger, Walter S. I. Title. Level: Undergraduate or Graduate Summary: In this carefully crafted collection of essays, Jewish Thought in Dialogue offers creative interpretations of major Jewish texts and as well as original treatments of significant issues in Jewish theology and ethics. The collection includes philosophical readings of biblical narratives, analyses of topics in the thought of Maimonides, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, and critical and constructive examinations of divine providence, religious anthropology, free will, 9/11, evil, Halakhah and morality, altruism, autonomy in Jewish medical ethics, and the epistemology of religious belief. The author frequently brings Jewish philosophy and law into dialogue with contemporary Anglo-American philosophy. The book serves scholars and students of Jewish philosophy and law and is suitable for inclusion in syllabi of undergraduate and graduate courses. Author: David Shatz (Ph. D, Columbia University) is Professor of Philosophy at Yeshiva University. He has published extensively in both general and Jewish Philosophy, includingPhilosophy and Faith, Definitions and Definability, Peer Review: A Critical Inquiry, and Judaism, Science and Moral Responsibility. Reviews: "A penetrating, keenly argued, profoundly wise, and often witty collection of essays by one of today's foremost Jewish philosophers." --Warren Zev Harvey, Chair, Department of Jewish Thought, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem "David Shatz is an excellent analytic philosopher who has also written extensively on Jewish philosophy. His articles do not merely contribute to understanding Jewish thinkers and thought. They also serve to broaden the philosophy of religion, making important issues and thinkers accessible and relevant to scholars working in other traditions. The essays will enhance scholarly appreciation of the philosophical dimensions of religious law, in a field that largely ignores or marginalizes law's role in religion. This collection is particularly welcome and will contribute valuably to a broader discussion." Wayne Proudfoot, Professor of Religion, Columbia University "David Shatz is an excellent analytic philosopher who has also written extensively on Jewish philosophy. His articles do not merely contribute to understanding Jewish thinkers and thought. They also serve to broaden the philosophy of religion, making important issues and thinkers accessible and relevant to scholars working in other traditions. The essays will enhance scholarly appreciation of the philosophical dimensions of religious law, in a field that largely ignores or marginalizes law's role in religion. This collection is particularly welcome and will contribute valuably to a broader discussion."Wayne Proudfoot, Professor of Religion, Columbia University "David Shatz's Jewish Thought in Dialogue is rigorous and refreshing. Reflecting both his training in philosophy and intimate familiarity with Judaic materials, Shatz's essays will compel you to rethink matters of significant concern to religion and ethics. Highly recommended!" ---Gerald J. Blidstein, Professor Emeritus of Jewish Thought, Ben-Gurion University and recipient of the 2006 Israel Prize in Jewish Thought "David Shatz's essays show us how, in the hands of a master, the analytic tools of Anglo-American philosophy can clarify and critically articulate the conceptual foundations of Judaism, and how halakhic and philosophical texts and discussions in the rabbinic tradition can enrich our understanidng of classical philosophical problems. These essays are constantly enlightening, closely argued and written with wit and insight. I learn from everything David Shatz writes." --- Josef Stern, William H. Colvin Professor of Philosophy and Director, Center for Jewish Studies, University of Chicago Excerpt from the Preface: The essays collected here give expression to my long-standing interest in the interaction between Judaism and general culture. A special passion of mine is the relationship between Jewish religious thought, on the one hand, and non-Jewish philosophies of both religious and secular varieties, on the other. My specialization in analytic philosophy may in some places give a distinctive cast to the literature cited, the problems engaged, and the style of argumentation. However, the book's title, Jewish Thought in Dialogue, refers not only to a dialogue between philosophical systems, but also to a dialogue between philosophy (both Jewish and general) and Jewishlaw. Does Jewish law (Halakhah) express a Jewish philosophy? Can our understanding of Halakhah be enhanced by knowing secular ethics, secular law and legal theory? Generally speaking, I submit that the answer to these questions is yes, and a few of the essays deal with issues in this range. Table of Contents: Essays in Interpretation The Bible As a Source of Philosophical Reflection Maimonides' Moral Theory Worship, Corporeality and Human Perfection : A Reading of Guide of the Perplexed III:51-54 The Integration of Torah and Culture: Its Scope and Limits in The Thought of Rav Kook Is Rav Kook A Model of `Openness'? Science and Religious Consciousness in the Thought of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Theology, Metaphysics and Ethics Divine Intervention and Religious Sensibilities From Anthropology to Metaphysics: David Hartman on Divine Intervention Is Matter All That Matters?: Judaism, Free Will and the Genetic and Neuroscientific Revolutions "From the Depths I Have Called to You": Jewish Reflections on September 11th and Contemporary Terrorism Does Jewish Law Express Jewish Philosophy? : The Curious Case of Theodicies Beyond Obedience: The Ethical Theory of Rabbi Walter Wurzburger "As Thyself": The Limits of Altruism in Jewish Ethics Concepts of Autonomy in Jewish Medical Ethics Concluding Reflections on Religious Belief The Over-examined Life is Not Worth Living All the best, Christa Kling Sales and Marketing Academic Studies Press 617.782.6290 www.academicstudiespress.com --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
