Isaac Israeli
A Neoplatonic Philosopher of the Early Tenth Century
Isaac Israeli
A Neoplatonic Philosopher of the Early Tenth Century
Recognized as one of the earliest Jewish neo-Platonist writers, Isaac ben Solomon Israeli (ca. 855–955) influenced Muslim, Jewish, and Christian scholars through the Middle Ages. A native of Egypt who wrote in Arabic, Israeli explored definitions of such terms as imagination, sense-perception, desire, love, creation, and “coming-to-be” in his writings.
This classic volume contains English translations of Israeli’s philosophical writings, including the Book of Definitions, the Book of Substances, and the Book on Spirit and Soul. Additionally, Isaac Israeli features a biographical sketch of the philosopher and extensive notes and comments on the texts, as well as a survey and appraisal of his philosophy. Restored to print for the first time in decades, Isaac Israeli will be essential reading for students and scholars of medieval philosophy and Jewish studies.
256 pages | 1 halftone | 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 | © 2009
Philosophy: History and Classic Works, Philosophy of Religion
Table of Contents
Foreword by Alfred Ivry
Abbreviations
Introduction
Biographical Note (by S. M. Stern)
Part I
Texts with Comments
I. The Book of Definitions—Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by S. M. Stern)
II. The Book of Substances—Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by S. M. Stern)
III. The Book on Spirit and Soul—Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by S. M. Stern)
IV. The Mantua Text—Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by A. Altmann)
V. An Excerpt from the Book on the Elements—Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by A. Altmann)
Part II
The Philosophy of Isaac Israeli
(by A. Altmann)
A. The Downward Way
I. The Creator
II. First Matter and First Form (Wisdom)—Intellect
III. The Three Souls—Nature
IV. Creation, Emanation, and Natural Causality
V. The Elements and Composite Substances
B. The Upward Way
VI. Purification—Illumination—Union
VII. The Role of Philosophy
VIII. The Role of Prophecy
Index of Names
Index of Subject-Matter