The Ethical Views of Maimonides within the context of Islamicate Civilization

1991 ◽  
pp. 13-32
Author(s):  
Lawrence V. Berman
Keyword(s):  
Nicomachean Ethics ◽  
Jewish Law ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Major Topic ◽  
Practical Activity ◽  
Central Figure ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Guide Of The Perplexed ◽  
Underlying Theme ◽  
The Ideal

This chapter examines the ethical views of Maimonides. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics had a decisive influence on Maimonides’ views, as did concepts found in biblical, talmudic, and post-talmudic literature. A major topic discussed in the Ethics is the goal for man, in general and in particular, aside from the importance of this subject for determining the kind of life the individual should pursue. A second major theme of the Ethics is the nature of the excellences or virtues of man in relation to practical activity and thinking. An underlying theme of the Ethics is that the happiness of the individual is ensured by proper laws which habituate the individual to proper behaviour in accordance with man’s nature. Maimonides’ principal works are his Commentary on the Mishnah, his Code of Jewish Law (Mishneh Torah), and his Guide of the Perplexed. In these works, which span Maimonides’ productivity over the course of his lifetime, the influence of the Ethics is marked. Thus, one sees how a central figure of Islamicate civilization, heir to the best in that civilization of an intellectual cast, was none the less receptive to the important influence of the Ethics. The chapter then discusses Maimonides’ concept of the ideal man in the light of the Ethics.

Reading Maimonides' Mishneh Torah

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Gillis
Keyword(s):  
Jewish Law ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Symbolic Form ◽  
Knowledge Of God ◽  
The Law ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Fundamental Unity ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Guide Of The Perplexed

This book demonstrates that the Mishneh torah, Maimonides' code of Jewish law, has the structure of a microcosm. Through this symbolic form, Maimonides presents the law as designed to perfect the individual and society by shaping them in the image of the divinely created cosmic order. The commandments of the law thereby bring human beings closer to fulfilling their ultimate purpose, knowledge of God. This symbolism turns the Mishneh torah into an object of contemplation that itself communicates such knowledge. In short, it is a work of art. The book unpacks the metaphysical and cosmological underpinnings of Maimonides' scheme of organization, allowing the reader to understand the Mishneh torah's artistic dimension and to appreciate its power. Moreover, as the book makes clear, uncovering this dimension casts new light on one of the great cruxes of Maimonides studies: the relationship of the Mishneh torah to his philosophical treatise The Guide of the Perplexed. A fundamental unity is revealed between Maimonides the codifier and Maimonides the philosopher that has not been fully appreciated hitherto. Maimonides' artistry in composition is repeatedly shown to serve his aims in persuading us of the coherence and wisdom of the halakhic system. The book sets in high relief the humane and transcendental purposes and methods of halakhah as Maimonides conceived of it, in an argument that is sure-footed and convincing.

The Republic

2019 ◽  
pp. 205-229
Author(s):  
Dominic Scott
Keyword(s):  
Political Theory ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Ideal State ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Individual Justice ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Political Right ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Ideal

This chapter presents a reading of Plato’s Republic. The Republic is among Plato’s most complex works. From its title, the first-time reader will expect a dialogue about political theory, yet the work starts from the perspective of the individual, coming to focus on the question of how, if at all, justice contributes to an agent’s happiness. Only after this question has been fully set out does the work evolve into an investigation of politics—of the ideal state and of the institutions that sustain it, especially those having to do with education. But the interest in individual justice and happiness is never left behind. Rather, the work weaves in and out of the two perspectives, individual and political, right through to its conclusion. All this may leave one wondering about the unity of the work. The chapter shows that, despite the enormous range of topics discussed, the Republic fits together as a coherent whole.

Embodying the culture of achievement: Culture between illness and perfection is a ‘thin line’ – obtaining the ideal female body as an act of achievement

2021 ◽  
pp. 1354067X2110040
Author(s):  
Josefine Dilling ◽  
Anders Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Female Body ◽  
The Body ◽  
Thin Line ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
The Ideal ◽  
Body Ideals

In this article, we argue that certain behaviour connected to the attempt to attain contemporary female body ideals in Denmark can be understood as an act of achievement and, thus, as an embodiment of the culture of achievement, as it is characterised in Præstationssamfundet, written by the Danish sociologist Anders Petersen (2016) Hans Reitzels Forlag . Arguing from cultural psychological and sociological standpoints, this article examines how the human body functions as a mediational tool in different ways from which the individual communicates both moral and aesthetic sociocultural ideals and values. Complex processes of embodiment, we argue, can be described with different levels of internalisation, externalisation and materialisation, where the body functions as a central mediator. Analysing the findings from a qualitative experimental study on contemporary body ideals carried out by the Danish psychologists Josefine Dilling and Maja Trillingsgaard, this article seeks to anchor such theoretical claims in central empirical findings. The main conclusions from the study are used to structure the article and build arguments on how expectations and ideals expressed in an achievement society become embodied.

scholarly journals Correlation analysis of resected breast tissue and implant volume after mastectomy and its association with breast density

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfram Malter ◽  
Bo Jan Bachmann ◽  
Barbara Krug ◽  
Martin Hellmich ◽  
Max Zinser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Breast Density ◽  
Breast Tissue ◽  
Mathematical Function ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Tissue Weight ◽  
Implant Selection ◽  
Volume Measurements ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Ideal

Abstract Background The current methods for calculating the ideal implant volume for breast reconstruction are based on pre- or intraoperative volume measurements of the existing breast volume and do not take into account the individual breast density of the woman. This study aims is to identify objective parameters that can help to improve the optimal implant selection. Materials and methods This retrospective analysis includes 198 breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy. Breast densities (ACR) measured in mammography and MRI were compared with the removed breast tissue weight and volume of the implants used. In addition, the resected weight was compared directly with the implant volume to calculate a mathematical function. Results There was no significant correlation between the ACR values and the resected weights [correlation coefficient: mammography:− 0.117 (p = 0.176), MRI − 0.033 (p = 0.756)]. A negative correlation between the implant volumes and both imaging methods could be demonstrated [correlation coefficient: mammography − 0.268; p = 0.002; MRI was − 0.200 (p = 0.055)]. A highly significant correlation between the resected weights and the implant volumes (correlation coefficient 0.744; p < 0.001) was observed. This correlation corresponds to a power function (y = 34.71 x0.39), in which any resected weight can be used for the variable x to calculate the implant volume. Conclusion We were able to show that there is a significant correlation between the resected breast tissue and the implant volume. With our novel potency function, the appropriate implant volume can be calculated for any resected weight making it easier for the surgeon to choose a fitting implant in a simple and more objective manner.

scholarly journals Young People: Between Literature and Advanced Technologies

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23
Author(s):  
Ahmad Idris Asmaradhani
Keyword(s):  
Life Choices ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Human Essence ◽  
The Past ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The World ◽  
Simple Question ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Ideal

In the eyes of literature, existentialist thinkers focus on the question of concrete human existence and the conditions of this existence rather than hypothesizing a human essence, stressing that the human essence is determined through life choices. The ideal, however, is that humans exist in a state of distance from the world that they nonetheless remain in the midst of. This distance is what enables humans to project meaning into the disinterested world of in-itselfs. This projected meaning remains fragile, constantly facing breakdown for any reason— from a tragedy to a particularly insightful moment. In such a breakdown, humans are put face to face with the naked meaninglessness of the world, and the results can be devastating. It is porposed that literature and the media combined have a powerful impact on those who wish to truly realize and understand their message. By studying, reading, learning, experiencing, and knowing the culture of the present and those cultures of the past then one can understand the ideas of life and how the two work together to help us better understand each other and ourselves. In what ways our present culture, our technological advances, and the media shape who we are as individuals is not a simple question. The answer seems to elusively hide in a world filled with cultural complexities. But, it is no secret to find that literature is a source of power. It does influence, guide, and shape the human become as they continue their journey through life. Hence, since human are never without the influence of literature, they will always have factors working to modify the human being. However, it is their choice as to how they internalize what they are exposed to, and in turn, it is up to them to determine the individual that ultimately prevails.

PROHIBITED EDUCATION A PATHOLOGY OF CAPITALISM

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ISRAEL MALLMA PEREZ ◽  
LITA SALAZAR VÁSQUEZ
Keyword(s):  
Curriculum Development ◽  
Traditional Education ◽  
Search Process ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Central Figure ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Real Education ◽  
Educational Paradigm ◽  
The Individual

Forbidden education reviews and collects in its various points the history behind education as we know it, talks about the dynamics and roles that function in the classroom and the teaching, industrial or governmental imposition of repeating an educational paradigm that obeys other structures that They are alien to a real education, and it may be closer to students and to the development of their most human needs. Which shows us a series of arguments by various specialists, professionals, authors, mothers and fathers and there are a series of deep reflections regarding traditional education. We see in a forceful way that their views coincide in stating that traditional education is static, without movement, does not seek other development than curriculum development, is focused on the contents themselves, it is an education where the teacher is the central figure in the process of Learning and the distribution of knowledge is conceived in such a way that it is reproduced, copied, repeated and in these conditions do not allow any search process, and makes the individual an object man incapable of taking critical, reflective and transforming positions in front of his reality

The State of Mishnah Studies

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
AMRAM TROPPER
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Jewish Law ◽  
Major Work ◽  
Rabbinic Judaism ◽  
Current State ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
The Individual

This chapter examines the current state of research into mishnah, the first major work of rabbinic Judaism. It explains that the mishnah is primarily an edited anthology of brief and often elliptical pronouncements on matters of Jewish law and practice, frequently providing conflicting views on the individual matters discussed. It discusses the six sedarim of the mishnah and mentions that the mishnah frequently digresses from its main topics at every level of the organisational hierarchy.

A Portrait of the Artist

2014 ◽  
pp. 1-79
Author(s):  
David Gillis
Keyword(s):  
Central Feature ◽  
Jewish Law ◽  
Knowledge Of God ◽  
Great Thing ◽  
Literary Art ◽  
Philosophy And Religion ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
The One ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

This introductory chapter provides a background of Maimonides and his code of Jewish law, the Mishneh torah. Maimonides applied the highest literary art to the highest of tasks: to bequeath, as philosopher-statesman, a law that would regulate the life of the individual and of society and move people closer to the knowledge of God. The result of that art is a book to be read and experienced, not just consulted. The central feature of Mishneh torah as a work of art is the casting of the commandments of the law in the form of the cosmos. The microcosmic form suggests, in the first place, that studying Mishneh torah, like the study of the universe, can be a way to the knowledge and love of God. On the plane of ideas, this form embodies the relationship between the ‘small thing’ and the ‘great thing’, between halakhah, on the one hand, and physics and metaphysics on the other. It depicts philosophy as the matrix of halakhah, reflecting the view of the relationship between philosophy and religion in the Islamic philosophers.

scholarly journals E-books for children with autism: Best read alone or with a therapist?

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-32
Author(s):  
Erin Soares ◽  
Therese Miller ◽  
Kathleen Ciffone ◽  
Kirsten Read
Keyword(s):  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Ideal Condition ◽  
Storybook Reading ◽  
Applied Behavioral Analysis ◽  
Story Reading ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Shared Storybook Reading ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Ideal

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) seemingly prefer tablets to other methods of intervention, though professionals posit that a therapist’s presence is beneficial. In this experiment, two unique e-stories were created specifically for children with ASD. Ten children with low- or nonverbal ASD heard each story presented on an iPad; one narrated through the iPad, and one read by a therapist trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). The within-participants design enabled researchers to measure the individual benefit of each type of story reading. After hearing each book, participants were tested on their comprehension via multiple choice, sequencing, and open-ended questions. Results indicated that the ideal condition for these young children with low- and nonverbal ASD was the therapist-read condition. These findings suggest that simple stories presented on a rewarding platform, with the minimally intrusive assistance of a therapist, provide young, verbally-challenged children with ASD with a foundation for receiving the benefits of shared storybook reading.

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