Judaism and science
Subtitle: a historical introduction
By: Noah J. Efron.
Series: Greenwood guides to science and religion
Publisher: Greenwood Press
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Westport, Conn
Language: eng
Number of pages: 348
ISBN-13: 9780313330537
Subjects: Judaism and science -- History; Bible and science; Nature -- Religious aspects -- Judaism; Philosophy of nature
Description: Judaism and Science canvases three millennia of Jewish attitudes towards nature and its study. It answers many questions about the complex relationship of religion and science. How did religious attitudes and dogmas affect Jewish attitudes towards natural knowledge? How was Jewish interest in science reflected, and was facilitated by, links with other cultures - Egypt and Assyria and Babylon in ancient times, Moslem culture in medieval times, and Christian culture during the Renaissance and since? How did science serve as a bridge between religious communities that were otherwise estranged and embattled? How did science serve as a vehicle of assimilation into the wider intellectual culture in which Jews found themselves? The book considers the attitudes and work of particular Jews in different epochs. It takes an "eagle's-eye view" of its subject, considering broad themes from a high vantage, but also swooping down to consider particular individuals at high focus, and in detail.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [291]-333) and index.
Table of contents: title: The sages of Israel and natural wisdom; title: Jews and natural philosophy; title: Jews and science.