Leo Strauss on Maimonides: The Complete Writings
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Leo Strauss is widely recognized as one of the foremost interpreters of Maimonides. His studies of the medieval Jewish philosopher led to his rediscovery of esotericism and deepened his sense that the tension between reason and revelation was central to modern political thought. His writings throughout the twentieth century were chiefly responsible for restoring Maimonides as a philosophical thinker of the first rank. Yet, to appreciate the extent of Strauss’s contribution to the scholarship on Maimonides, one has traditionally had to seek out essays he published separately spanning almost fifty years.
With Leo Strauss on Maimonides, Kenneth Hart Green presents for the first time a comprehensive, annotated collection of Strauss’s writings on Maimonides, comprising sixteen essays, three of which appear in English for the first time. Green has also provided careful translations of materials that had originally been quoted in Hebrew, Arabic, Latin, German, and French; written an informative introduction highlighting the original contributions found in each essay; and brought references to out-of-print editions fully up to date. The result will become the standard edition of Strauss’s writings on Maimonides.
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- features a comprehensive, annotated collection of Strauss’s writings on Maimonides
- Includes informative introductions highlighting the original contributions found in each essay
It is to the enduring credit of Leo Strauss that he effected a radical reconsideration of Maimonides. To be sure, philosophers have engaged Maimonides over the centuries, but none reached down so deep into his modus operandi. Strauss made clear the strategies pursued by Maimonides in his effort to convey discrete messages to different audiences, and that newly regained awareness of how Maimonides wrote—and hence needed to be read—gave rise to renewed vigorous debate.
—Ralph Lerner, University of Chicago
Since the appearance of Strauss’s writings, the small handful of academics familiar with Maimonides has expanded to a sizable group, including academics in medieval studies, religious studies, philosophy, and political science. For the debate about Strauss and his legacy, for coming to terms with Maimonides, and for broaching the dispute between reason and revelation, this collection is indispensable.
—Joshua Parens, University of Dallas
- Title: Leo Strauss on Maimonides: The Complete Writings
- Author: Leo Strauss
- Publisher: University of Chicago Press
- Print Publication Date: 2013
- Pages: 696
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Resource ID: LLS:LSTRSSCMPWRTNGS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-12-19T19:36:56Z