Description
Book SynopsisThe Origins of Ethical Thought: A Comparative Study Between Hellenism and Hebraism is the first text to analyze both Greek and Hebrew ethical thought based on a comprehensive and ideological interpretation of the two systems on their own and in relation to one another. An innovative work of interdisciplinary scholarship, this book focuses on the plurality of perspectives between and within the respective ethical systems. Without overdrawing comparisons, the author engages selected primary and secondary texts and highlights the traits that distinguish the two fields while revealing the commonalities underlying ancient Hebraic and Hellenistic concepts of the self in relation to the ''other,'' whether on the human or super-human level. He reveals that both ethical systems are based on a sense of ''wonder,'' which, he argues, can and should be rehabilitated as a foundation for a new ethics that is in touch with the transcendent and metaphysical. Moreover, writing from a Japanese frame of
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction: "Wonder" Part 2 Part I: The Practical Philosophy of the Ancient Greeks Chapter 3 The Presocratics (1):The Ionians Chapter 4 The Presocratics (2):The Italian Thracians Chapter 5 Socrates and Plato (I):Socrates, the Sophists, and Plato Chapter 6 Socrates and Plato (II): Focusing on Plato Chapter 7 Aristotle (I): Happiness and Ethical Excellence Chapter 8 Aristotle (2): The Doctrine of the Mean and the Doctrine of Virtue Chapter 9 Aristotle (3): Intellectual Excellence and Contemplation Part 10 Part II: The Religious Ethics of the Ancient Hebrews Chapter 11 The Ten Commandments (1): Focusing on the Sixth to Ninth Commandments Chapter 12 The Ten Commandments (2): Focusing on the First Commandment Chapter 13 Legal Codes: The Book of the Covenant, the Deuteronomic Code, and the Holiness Code Chapter 14 The Wisdom Literature (1): Proverbs Chapter 15 The Wisdom Literature (2): The Book of Job Chapter 16 Part III: The Consequences of Hellenic and Hebrew Ethics Chapter 17 Retribution Ethics in Hebrew Religion: Focusing on the Qohelet Chapter 18 Hebrew Religious Ethics and Atonement Ideology: Focusing on the Prophets Chapter 19 A Reflection on the Greek Philosophy of Love and Righteousness, Based on Aristotle Chapter 20 Conclusion: Revisiting "Wonder" Chapter 25
