In the Guide of the Perplexed Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon) achieved an original and highly influential synthesis of religious and secular learning, drawing on Rabbinical teachings, the Aristotelian and neo-Platonic doctrines then current in the Islamic world, as well as his own scriptural exegeses and philosophical arguments. According to Encyclopaedia Judaica, "almost every philosophic work for the remainder of the Middle Ages cited, commented on, or criticized Maimonides' views." - Summary by Kazbek
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Chapters
- Chapter 1
The Author's Introduction. The Twenty-Six Propositions employed by the Philosophers to prove the Existence of God
18:35 - Chapter 2
I. Philosophical proofs for the Existence, Incorporeality, and Unity of the First Cause
25:30 - Chapter 3
II. On the Existence of Intelligences or purely Spiritual Beings
06:58 - Chapter 4
Ill. The Author adopts the Theory of Aristotle as least open to Objections
01:30 - Chapter 5
IV. The Spheres and the Causes of their Motion
11:51 - Chapter 6
V. Agreement of the Aristotelian Theory with the Teaching of Scripture
04:44 - Chapter 7
VI. What is meant by the Scriptural Term "Angels"
10:24 - Chapter 8
VII. The Homonymity of the term "Angel"
02:19 - Chapter 9
VIII. On the Music of the Spheres
02:18 - Chapter 10
IX. On the Number of the Heavenly Spheres
03:34 - Chapter 11
X. The Influence of the Spheres upon the Earth manifests itself in four different ways
12:24 - Chapter 12
XI. The Theory of Eccentricity Preferable to that of Epicycles
09:58 - Chapter 13
XII. On the Nature of the Divine Influence and that of the Spheres
11:29 - Chapter 14
XIII. Three Different Theories about the Beginning of the Universe
14:34 - Chapter 15
XIV. Seven Methods by which the Philosophers sought to prove the Eternity of the Universe
11:28 - Chapter 16
XV. Aristotle does not scientifically demonstrate his Theory
07:18 - Chapter 17
XVI. The Author refutes all Objections to Creatio ex nihilo
02:57 - Chapter 18
XVII. The Laws of Nature apply to Things Created, but do not regulate the Creative Act which produces them
14:09 - Chapter 19
XVIII. Examinations of the Proofs of Philosophers for the Eternity of the Universe
14:20 - Chapter 20
XIX. Design in Nature
26:36 - Chapter 21
XX. The Opinion of Aristotle as regards Design in Nature
08:12 - Chapter 22
XXI. Explanation of the Aristotelian Theory that the Universe is the necessary Result of the First Cause
09:13 - Chapter 23
XXII. Objections to the Theory of the Eternity of the Universe
13:35 - Chapter 24
XXIII. The Theory of Creatio ex nihilo is preferable to that of the Eternity of the Universe
05:49 - Chapter 25
XXIV. Difficulty of Comprehending the Nature and the Motion of the Spheres according to the Theory of Aristotle
15:44 - Chapter 26
XXV. The Theory of Creation is adopted because of its own Superiority, the Proofs based on Scripture being Inconclusive
07:35 - Chapter 27
XXVI. Examination of a passage from Pirke di-Rabbi Eliezer in reference to Creation
05:36 - Chapter 28
XXVII. The Theory of a Future Destruction of the Universe is not part of the Religious Belief taught in the Bible
04:17 - Chapter 29
XXVIII. Scriptural Teaching is in favour of the Indestructibility of the Universe
07:33 - Chapter 30
XXIX. Explanation of Scriptural Phrases implying the Destruction of Heaven and Earth
32:43 - Chapter 31
XXX. Philosophical Interpretation of Genesis i.-iv.
30:55 - Chapter 32
XXXI. The Institution of the Sabbath serves (1) to Teach the Theory of Creation, and (2) to promote Man's Welfare
04:03 - Chapter 33
XXXII. Three Theories concerning Prophecy
10:36 - Chapter 34
XXXIII. The Difference between Moses and the other Israelites as regards the Revelation on Mount Sinai
07:45 - Chapter 35
XXXIV. Explanation of Exodus xxiii. 20
04:03 - Chapter 36
XXXV. The Difference between Moses and the other Prophets as regards the Miracles wrought by them
08:02 - Chapter 37
XXXVI. On the Mental, Physical and Moral Faculties of the Prophets
14:08 - Chapter 38
XXXVII. On the Divine Influence upon Man's Imaginative and Mental Faculties through the Active Intellect
06:24 - Chapter 39
XXXVIII. Courage and Intuition reach the highest degree of Perfection in Prophets
08:09 - Chapter 40
XXXIX. Moses was the fittest Prophet to Receive and Promulgate the Immutable Law, which succeeding Prophets merely Taught and Expounded
08:25 - Chapter 41
XL. The Test of True Prophecy
08:57 - Chapter 42
XLI. What is Meant by "Vision"
09:59 - Chapter 43
XLII. Prophets Received Direct Communication only in Dreams or Visions
09:36 - Chapter 44
XLIII. On the Allegories of the Prophets
09:57 - Chapter 45
XLIV. On the Different Modes in which Prophets Receive Divine Messages
06:40 - Chapter 46
XLV. The Various Classes of Prophets
25:32 - Chapter 47
XLVI. The Allegorical Acts of Prophets formed Parts of Prophetic Visions
11:56 - Chapter 48
XLVII. On the Figurative Style of the Prophetic Writings
09:46 - Chapter 49
XLVIII. Scripture ascribes Phenomena directly produced by Natural Causes to God as the First Cause of all things
09:20