M. Kagan Summary of Introductory Notes for Philosophies of Judaism, Fall 1996. September 12, 1996 Some formatting corrections, spring, 2003.

I. Briefly Review through Pharisees

A. Patriarchal

B. Egypt/Wilderness

C. Prophets/Judges

D. Monarchy

E. Deut. Reform

F. Baby. Exile

G. Aaronides & Pentateuch

H. Pharisaic Revolution

II. Heirs of the Pharisees: Sages, Rabbinic Judaism, Talmudic Judaism [bring Sefer HaAgadah, photocopy Avot 1)

A. Basic responses to the 4 questions:

1.  The human person (philosophical anthropology)-

2. Revelation and obligation

3. Theology

4. Jewish Identity and Existence

B. Rabbinic Psychology, yetser tov and ra, Centrality of Talmud Torah and Teshuvah, the commentary model

III. Variations on the rabbinic model until the rise of Modernity

A. Reform

B. Counter-Reforms of Neo-orthodoxy, Conservative Judaism

1. Classical Reform

C. Nationalism and Jewish Nationalism in the 19th century

IV. Postmodernism

A. Reconstructionism, Polydoxy, Humanistic Judaisms, Academic Judaisms, Post Holocaust interpretations, Varieties of Jewish Feminism

V. Material and Background for developing a philosophy of Judaism

A. Familiarity with Jewish Experience

B. Philosophical Standpoint

1. Metaphysics and Ontology

2. Epistemology

3. Theory of Authority

C. Some goals of a philosophy of Judaism

1. Theory of Revelation

2. Philosophy of the Human Person

3. Philosophy of Jewish experience and identity

4. Consistency and coherence with philosopher other positions.