Science and the Kuzari

Journal/Book: Sci Context. 1997; 10: 40 West 20TH Street, New York, NY 10011-4211. Cambridge Univ Press. 495-522.

Abstract: Yehuda Halevi's Kuzari was written in response to the challenge posed to Judaism by a highly spiritual, nondenominational philosophy. Science, especially that embodied in the Hellenistic heritage, was a major component of philosophy; thus, if for no other reason than to make Judaism a serious competitor, Halevi had to show that the Jewish tradition as well possessed a body of scientific knowledge. The superiority of the Jewish teachings was demonstrated chiefly by appeal to the criteria of tradition, consensus, and authority, which, in Halevi's judgement, were in practice the criteria most influential in deciding scientific opinion. Despite the rather unique setting for the book, and the wide range of stances Halevi develops, the Kuzari was rather quickly and smoothly absorbed into the mainstream of Jewish religious thought.

Note: Article Langermann YT, Bar Ilan Univ, Dept Arab, Inst Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts, Jerusalem, ISRAEL

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