1st Edition

Divine Command Ethics Jewish and Christian Perspectives

By Michael J. Harris Copyright 2003
224 Pages
by Routledge

224 Pages
by Routledge

224 Pages
by Routledge

The central aim of this book is to attempt to determine the response of the classic texts of Jewish traditions to the famous dilemma posed in Plato's Euthyphro : Does God freely determine morality, or is morality independent of God? The author argues that the picture that emerges from Jewish texts is significantly more complex and nuanced than most of the contemporary Jewish philosophical... Read more

Introduction  1. Divine Command Theory and the Shared Moral Universe of God and Humanity: The Analytical Framework of the Project  2. Analytical Discussion of Positions on DCT and SMU in Philosophy and Contemporary Jewish Thought  3. Biblical Texts  4. SMU: Rabbinic Texts and Concepts and Post-Talmudic Rabbinic Thought  5. Divine Command Theory in the Texts of Jewish Tradition  6. The Akedah: Genesis 22 and DCT/SMU  7. DCT/SMU and the Commandment to Wipe Out Amalek

Biography

Michael J. Harris has been Rabbi of the Hampstead Synagogue, London since 1995. He received his doctorate in philosophy from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. His main areas of interest are Jewish studies, philosophy of religion, and moral philosophy.

'An admirable book, which is particularly recommended for those who are interested in traditional Jewish responses to philosophical questions.' - Jewish Chronicle

'This book should certainly be required reading for anyone interested in Jewish attitudes towards the Euthyphro question. It makes a large collection of relevant traditional texts available and understandable, even to an audience unaquainted with rabbinic literature.' - Religious Studies