The Virtue Ethics of Levi Gersonides

This book demonstrates how Levi Gersonides articulated a unique model of virtue ethics among medieval Jewish thinkers. Gersonides is recognized by scholars as one of the most innovative Jewish philosophers of the medieval period, yet his model for virtue ethics has received scant analytical attention. Alex Green splices Gersonides' model into two distinct parts. The first is a response to the seemingly capricious forces of luck through training in endeavor, diligence, and cunning aimed at physical self-preservation. The second is altruistic in nature. It is based on the human imitation of God as creator of the laws of the universe for no self-interested benefit, leading humans to imitate God through the virtues of loving-kindness, grace, and beneficence. Both of these aspects are amplified through the institutions of the kingship and the priesthood, which serve to actualize physical preservation and beneficence on a larger scale, amounting to recognition of the political necessity for a division of powers.

Year

2016

Language

English

Publisher

Palgrave Macmillan

Editions

4

Pages

195

ISBN

9783319408194

Data source: Wikidata