Guide for the Perplexed, Part 2

by Moses Maimonides

49 chapters8h 47mEnglish1904

About this book

In the Guide of the Perplexed Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon) achieved an original and highly influential synthesis of religious and secular learning, drawing on Rabbinical teachings, the Aristotelian and neo-Platonic doctrines then current in the Islamic world, as well as his own scriptural exegeses and philosophical arguments. According to Encyclopaedia Judaica, "almost every philosophic work for the remainder of the Middle Ages cited, commented on, or criticized Maimonides' views." - Summary by Kazbek

Chapters (48)

1I. Philosophical proofs for the Existence, Incorporeality, and Unity of the First Cause

1530

2II. On the Existence of Intelligences or purely Spiritual Beings

418

3Ill. The Author adopts the Theory of Aristotle as least open to Objections

4IV. The Spheres and the Causes of their Motion

711

5V. Agreement of the Aristotelian Theory with the Teaching of Scripture

284

6VI. What is meant by the Scriptural Term "Angels"

624

7VII. The Homonymity of the term "Angel"

139

8VIII. On the Music of the Spheres

138

9IX. On the Number of the Heavenly Spheres

214

10X. The Influence of the Spheres upon the Earth manifests itself in four different ways

744

11XI. The Theory of Eccentricity Preferable to that of Epicycles

598

12XII. On the Nature of the Divine Influence and that of the Spheres

689

13XIII. Three Different Theories about the Beginning of the Universe

874

14XIV. Seven Methods by which the Philosophers sought to prove the Eternity of the Universe

688

15XV. Aristotle does not scientifically demonstrate his Theory

438

16XVI. The Author refutes all Objections to Creatio ex nihilo

177

17XVII. The Laws of Nature apply to Things Created, but do not regulate the Creative Act which produces them

849

18XVIII. Examinations of the Proofs of Philosophers for the Eternity of the Universe

860

19XIX. Design in Nature

1596

20XX. The Opinion of Aristotle as regards Design in Nature

492

21XXI. Explanation of the Aristotelian Theory that the Universe is the necessary Result of the First Cause

553

22XXII. Objections to the Theory of the Eternity of the Universe

815

23XXIII. The Theory of Creatio ex nihilo is preferable to that of the Eternity of the Universe

349

24XXIV. Difficulty of Comprehending the Nature and the Motion of the Spheres according to the Theory of Aristotle

944

25XXV. The Theory of Creation is adopted because of its own Superiority, the Proofs based on Scripture being Inconclusive

455

26XXVI. Examination of a passage from Pirke di-Rabbi Eliezer in reference to Creation

336

27XXVII. The Theory of a Future Destruction of the Universe is not part of the Religious Belief taught in the Bible

257

28XXVIII. Scriptural Teaching is in favour of the Indestructibility of the Universe

453

29XXIX. Explanation of Scriptural Phrases implying the Destruction of Heaven and Earth

1963

30XXX. Philosophical Interpretation of Genesis i.-iv.

1855

31XXXI. The Institution of the Sabbath serves (1) to Teach the Theory of Creation, and (2) to promote Man's Welfare

243

32XXXII. Three Theories concerning Prophecy

636

33XXXIII. The Difference between Moses and the other Israelites as regards the Revelation on Mount Sinai

465

34XXXIV. Explanation of Exodus xxiii. 20

243

35XXXV. The Difference between Moses and the other Prophets as regards the Miracles wrought by them

482

36XXXVI. On the Mental, Physical and Moral Faculties of the Prophets

848

37XXXVII. On the Divine Influence upon Man's Imaginative and Mental Faculties through the Active Intellect

384

38XXXVIII. Courage and Intuition reach the highest degree of Perfection in Prophets

489

39XXXIX. Moses was the fittest Prophet to Receive and Promulgate the Immutable Law, which succeeding Prophets merely Taught and Expounded

505

40XL. The Test of True Prophecy

537

41XLI. What is Meant by "Vision"

599

42XLII. Prophets Received Direct Communication only in Dreams or Visions

576

43XLIII. On the Allegories of the Prophets

597

44XLIV. On the Different Modes in which Prophets Receive Divine Messages

400

45XLV. The Various Classes of Prophets

1532

46XLVI. The Allegorical Acts of Prophets formed Parts of Prophetic Visions

716

47XLVII. On the Figurative Style of the Prophetic Writings

586

48XLVIII. Scripture ascribes Phenomena directly produced by Natural Causes to God as the First Cause of all things

560

Guide for the Perplexed, Part 2

About this book

Chapters (48)

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