Crescas On The Problem Of Divine Attributes (1916)

Crescas On The Problem Of Divine Attributes is a book written by Harry Austryn Wolfson and published in 1916. The book focuses on the work of the Jewish philosopher, Hasdai Crescas, and his views on the problem of divine attributes. Crescas was a 14th-century philosopher who lived in Spain during the time of the Jewish Golden Age. He was known for his philosophical arguments against the Aristotelian and Maimonidean views of God. Wolfson's book is a comprehensive study of Crescas' thought and his critique of the traditional views of God's attributes. The book is divided into two parts. The first part provides a historical and philosophical background to Crescas' work, while the second part focuses on Crescas' own views on the problem of divine attributes. In the first part, Wolfson discusses the medieval Jewish philosophical tradition and its main representatives, such as Saadia Gaon, Maimonides, and Gersonides. He also examines the Aristotelian influence on Jewish philosophy and the debates between the rationalists and the mystics. In the second part, Wolfson analyzes Crescas' critique of the traditional views of God's attributes, such as God's unity, simplicity, and incorporeality. Crescas argues that these attributes are not necessary for a proper understanding of God and that they limit God's power and freedom. Instead, Crescas proposes a new conception of God as a personal being with infinite power and knowledge, who can act freely in the world. Overall, Crescas On The Problem Of Divine Attributes is a seminal work in the field of Jewish philosophy and a significant contribution to the study of medieval thought. It provides a deep insight into the complexities of the philosophical debates of the time and the innovative ideas of one of its most important thinkers.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.