• What The guide of the perplexed is really about
    In Charles Harry Manekin & Daniel Davies (eds.), Interpreting Maimonides: Critical Essays, Cambridge University Press. 1900.
  •  2
    Tsimtsum and the Root of Finitude
    In Agata Bielik-Robson & Daniel H. Weiss (eds.), Tsimtsum and Modernity: Lurianic Heritage in Modern Philosophy and Theology, De Gruyter. pp. 107-118. 2020.
  •  9
    Plato (review)
    Journal of Philosophy 72 (8): 221-224. 1975.
  •  3
    Maimonides on Creation
    In Raphael Jospe & Dov Schwartz (eds.), Jewish philosophy: perspectives and retrospectives, Academic Studies Press. 2012.
  •  252
    Review of: J. Diamond, Jewish Theology Unbound (review)
    European Journal for Philosophy of Religion 11 (3): 236-239. 2019.
  •  9
    Socratic Education in Plato's Early Dialogues (review)
    Review of Metaphysics 41 (4): 859-860. 1988.
    Written for the introductory student as well as the specialized scholar, this book is a thorough study of what is often referred to as "Socratic method." There is an extended discussion of the Euthyphro, Laches, Charmides, Lysis, book 1 of the Republic, the Apology, Crito, Gorgias, Meno, Protagoras, Hippias Major, and Euthydemus. Each dialogue is treated as a dramatic and philosophic whole. The context is explained, and the relation between the respondent's beliefs and behavior analyzed in detai…Read more
  •  14
    Courage and Knowledge: A Perspective on the Socratic Paradox
    Southern Journal of Philosophy 14 (4): 511-521. 1976.
  • Some Remarks on Truth and Bivalence
    Logique Et Analyse 15 (65): 101-109. 1974.
  •  18
    Leibniz and transcendental idealism
    Man and World 11 (1-2): 96-106. 1978.
  •  37
    This is an essay in what might be termed philosophic appreciation. Ordinarily one should not have to take to print to ask people to appreciate the writings of a figure like Leibniz. But the particular aspect of Leibniz’ thought that I would like to discuss is one which most contemporary philosophers find totally unpalatable. According to the conventional wisdom, the claim that existence is a perfection was refuted once and for all by Kant. The passages where Leibniz suggests that there is someth…Read more
  •  26
    The Comedy of the Gods in the Iliad
    Philosophy and Literature 1 (3): 295-306. 1977.
    In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:Kenneth R. Seeskin THE COMEDY OF THE GODS IN THE ILIAD "... no animai but man ever laughs." Aristotle, De Partibus Animalium, 673a8-9 No reader of the Iliad can fail to be struck by the great extent to which social relations among the gods resemble those which obtain among men. Zeus, the oldest and strongest of the Olympian deities, rules as an absolute monarchor patriarch. The "council" meetings over which he presides are not unlike…Read more
  •  27
    Moral Necessity
    New Scholasticism 51 (1): 90-101. 1977.
  •  55
    Platonism, Mysticism, and Madness
    The Monist 59 (4): 574-586. 1976.
  •  44
    Courage and knowledge: A perspective on the socratic paradox
    Southern Journal of Philosophy 14 (4): 511-521. 1976.
  •  31
    Of Dialogues and Seeds (review)
    Philosophy and Literature 21 (1): 167-177. 1997.
  •  19
    Is the Apology of Socrates a Parody?
    Philosophy and Literature 6 (1-2): 94-105. 1982.
  •  34
  •  30
    Autonomy in Jewish philosophy
    Cambridge University Press. 2001.
    Autonomy in Jewish Philosophy examines an important theme in Jewish thought from the Book of Genesis to the present day. Although it is customary to view Judaism as a legalistic faith leaving little room for free thought or individual expression, Kenneth Seeskin argues that this view is wrong. Where some see the essence of the religion as strict obedience to divine commands, Seeskin claims that God does not just command but forms a partnership with humans requiring the consent of both parties. L…Read more
  •  25
    Monotheism is usually considered Judaism's greatest contribution to world culture, but it is far from clear what monotheism is. This work examines the notion that monotheism is not so much a claim about the number of God as a claim about the nature of God. Seeskin argues that the idea of a God who is separate from his creation and unique is not just an abstraction but a suitable basis for worship. He examines this conclusion in the contexts of prayer, creation, sabbath observance, repentance, re…Read more
  •  20
  •  1
    Jewish Messianic Thoughts in an Age of Despair
    Cambridge University Press. 2012.
    Belief in the coming of a Messiah poses a genuine dilemma. From a Jewish perspective, the historical record is overwhelmingly against it. If, despite all the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, no legitimate Messiah has come forward, has the belief not been shown to be groundless? Yet for all the problems associated with messianism, the historical record also shows it is an idea with enormous staying power. The prayer book mentions it on page after page. The great Jewish philosophers…Read more
  •  17
    Holiness as an Ethical Ideal
    Journal of Jewish Thought and Philosophy 5 (2): 191-203. 1996.
  •  25
    The Cambridge companion to Maimonides (edited book)
    Cambridge University Press. 2005.
    One aim of this series is to dispel the intimidation readers feel when faced with the work of difficult and challenging thinkers. Moses ben Maimon, also known as Maimonides (1138-1204), represents the high point of Jewish rationalism in the middle ages. He played a pivotal role in the transition of philosophy from the Islamic East to the Christian West. His greatest philosophical work, The Guide of the Perplexed, had a decisive impact on all subsequent Jewish thought and is still the subject of …Read more
  •  46
    Sanctity and Silence
    American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly 76 (1): 7-24. 2002.
    Maimonides’ negative theology has generated controversy ever since it was advanced in The Guide of the Perplexed. Unlike Aquinas,Maimonides does not allow predication by analogy or anything else that compromises the radical separation between God and creatures. The standard objection to Maimonides is that his view is so extreme that it undermines important features of religious life, most pointedly the institution of prayer. I argue that Maimonides was well aware of the problems caused by negati…Read more