Jewish Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, beauty, justice, validity, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing these questions (such as mysticism or mythology) by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on reasoned argument. The word philosophy is of Ancient Greek origin, meaning "love of knowledge," "love of wisdom."

 

Jewish philosophy then is an approach to the above problems within the context of Jewish teaching and must be compatible with Jewish beliefs.

 

The methodology of philosophy, reasoned argument to reach the truth, has its origin in Jewish teaching to Abraham, who didn’t just believe in G‑d but reasoned His existence through argument. This tradition continued with the philosophical questions of Moses relating to justice in the Torah, and many other Jewish works, through medieval times, to this day, some of which are listed below.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

N

P

R

S

T

W

Y

Z