The sixth instalment of David’s Jewish Philosophy lecture series considers two renowned, sometimes controversial, philosophers living during the Enlightenment:
- Baruch Spinoza, and
- Moses Mendelssohn.
Watch the lecture here: https://youtu.be/IC_bZTM55yA
In the first part of this Zoom lecture, David examines the ideas and impact of Baruch Spinoza, including the ultimate cause of his excommunication from the Jewish community. He explores concepts developed by Spinoza in his books:
In the first part of this Zoom lecture, David examines the ideas and impact of Baruch Spinoza, including the ultimate cause of his excommunication from the Jewish community. He explores concepts developed by Spinoza in his books:
– Tractatus Theologico–Politicus (Theologico-Political Treatise), which provides a defence of secular thought, and
– Ethics, which discusses:
- reality is God
- the universe (God) is necessary and determined
- miracles do not exist
- there is no free will
- the pursuit of reason leads to freedom.
For Moses Mendelssohn, David explains, the challenge was to reveal religion in the Age of Reason. Mendelssohn’s book, Jerusalem, explores:
- the Torah as revealed law
- differences in nature and the laws of the Jewish people
- reason as the true religion of humanity
- the test of religious truth and its effect on conduct.
As with previous lectures, David provides historical context for both philosophers, describing their 17th and 18th century worlds. He also tackles some of the beliefs and misconceptions about these figures, many of which have carried through to today.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:13 — 26.1MB)
Continue reading “#84 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (6)”
