How Jewish Philosophers Think about Troubling Traditions

with Dr.Shira Billet, Jewish Theological Seminary

This session will introduce Jewish philosophy as a means of grappling with what I call troubling traditions. Traditions refer to sacred texts that are authoritative for us in some significant way. They are „troubling“ when they conflict with other strong beliefs we hold, be they epistemic beliefs about what is true or false, moral beliefs about right or wrong, or political beliefs about how we ought or ought not to live. We will look at methods that Jewish philosophers have articulated in attempting to resolve these contradictions, and gain insight into the history and practice of Jewish philosophy. 

Shira Billet is Assistant Professor of Jewish Thought and Ethics at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Her research focuses on the work of nineteenth-century German Jewish philosopher, Hermann Cohen, his ethical and Jewish thought, and the history of Jewish philosophy broadly. 

Please click here to register online. Zoom information will be shared a few days before program.