Philosophical Religions from Plato to Spinoza: Reason, Religion, and Autonomy
"In this brilliant and original book, Carlos Fraenkel introduces us to a new strand in the history of both religious and philosophical thought: the idea of a philosophical religion, where reason and religion coincide. Fraenkel leads the reader through the history of philosophical religion, from Plato, through late ancient Judaism and Christianity, through Islam to Spinoza and beyond, transforming our conception of both religion and philosophy."Daniel Garber, Princeton University"This book is a must-read (and re-read) for anyone interested in the contemporary politics of toleration or the uneasy history of the relations between Faith and Reason.  With a remarkable breadth of learning and a keen eye Prof. Fraenkel charts the efforts by thinkers from Plato through Hegel to integrate sacred texts and practices into larger philosophical and political world-views. This is both first-rate History of Philosophy and for enthusiasts and sceptics alike an eye-opener about the pre-conditions of secular democracy."Calvin Normore, University of California, Los Angeles"Fraenkel's brilliant book succeeds in changing the traditional paradigm for which Spinoza brings to a close the long tradition of philosophical reflection on religion, from Philo to the great late ancient and medieval Christian, Muslim, and Jewish theologians and philosophers. For Spinoza, Fraenkel argues, as for his predecessors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is also that of the philosophers, in radical opposition to the claim of his contemporary Pascal. Fraenkel's new view of the history of a central conception of religion in Western intellectual history is nothing less than a tour de force that should have a significant impact on scholarship."Guy Stroumsa, Oxford University and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem"... a bold and exciting new book ... this study is to be commended for both the breadth and depth of its learning and should inspire a rich scholarly dialogue going forward ..."James Bryson, Journal of Religious Studies"... I very much enjoyed reading this book and Carlos Fraenkel is to be congratulated for having produced a provocative and always intelligent argument. Like many good books it raises more questions than it settles, and is a constantly rewarding read."Oliver Leaman, H-Judaic"... Fraenkel's monograph is very stimulating and thought-provoking ... The arguments kept ruminating in my mind for some time, which I think is a hallmark of an intellectually intriguing work."Anders Klostergaard Petersen, Bryn Mawr Classical Review"A remarkable and important book ... It is one of the great merits of Fraenkel's extraordinary book that he helps us to see beyond the Straussian caricature of medieval philosophy ... [The book] ranges not only across a broad span of history from the Greeks to the eighteenth century, but also across religious traditions that today's more passionate apologists would prefer to hold apart ... [T]he most surprising argument of the book ... [is] his revolutionary conclusion that the tradition of philosophical religion has survived into modernity ..."Peter Gordon, The New Republic