International Conference

12 November 2018

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“Jewish Averroism” is a concept that usually refers to Jewish philosophers from the thirteenth century onwards who philosophised within the context of Averroes’ interpretation of Aristotelian philosophy. At the same time, many of them were committed to Maimonides’ legacy of reconciling philosophical investigation with the Law of Moses. In order to settle this apparent tension, they interpreted Judaism in light of Averroes’ Aristotelianism on the assumption that Judaism and true philosophy must always coincide.

Although Averroes’ philosophy and commentary were attractive to some circles, others found it unsatisfactory or simply threatening to the traditional way of life. These thinkers responded with various critiques of Averroes, his followers, and the Averroistic approach to philosophy and its relationship to revealed religion.

The purpose of the conference is to crystallise the understanding of Jewish Averroism as a philosophical and cultural phenomenon. Special emphasis will be put upon the Jewish Averroists’ engagement with Maimonides’ apparent sceptical approach, mainly concerning metaphysical knowledge, about which Averroes is patently dogmatic. Finally, lectures about various aspects of anti-Averroism will serve as a necessary counterbalance.

Programme and further information