Isaac Israeli : a neoplatonic philosopher of the early tenth century : his works translated [from the Arabic] with comments and an outline of his philosophy

Recognized as one of the earliest Jewish neo-Platonist writers, Isaac ben Solomon Israeli (ca. 855–955) influenced Muslim, Jewish, and Christian scholars through the Middle Ages. A native of Egypt who wrote in Arabic, Israeli explored definitions of such terms as imagination, sense-perception, desire, love, creation, and “coming-to-be” in his writings. This classic volume contains English translations of Israeli’s philosophical writings, including the __Book of Definitions__, the __Book of Substances,__ and the __Book on Spirit and Soul__. Additionally, __Isaac Israeli__ features a biographical sketch of the philosopher and extensive notes and comments on the texts, as well as a survey and appraisal of his philosophy. Restored to print for the first time in decades, __Isaac Israeli__ will be essential reading for students and scholars of medieval philosophy and Jewish studies. Contents ......Page 6 Foreword (by Alfredy Ivry) ......Page 8 Abbreviations ......Page 16 Introduction ......Page 18 Biographical Note (by S. M. Stern) ......Page 24 Part I: Texts with Comments ......Page 32 I. The Book of Definitions–Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by S. M. Stern)......Page 34 II. The Book of Substances–Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by S. M. Stern)......Page 110 III. The Book on Spirit and Soul–Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by S. M. Stern)......Page 137 IV. The Mantua Text–Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by A. Altmann)......Page 149 V. An Excerpt from the Book on the Elements–Preliminary Note, Translation, and Comments (by A. Altmann)......Page 164 Part II: The Philosophy of Isaac Israeli (by A. Altmann) ......Page 180 I. The Creator ......Page 182 II. First Matter and First Form (Wisdom)—Intellect ......Page 190 III. The Three Souls—Nature ......Page 196 IV. Creation, Emanation, and Natural Causality ......Page 202 V. The Elements and Composite Substances ......Page 212 VI. Purification—Illumination—Union ......Page 216 VII. The Role of Philosophy ......Page 227 VIII. The Role of Prophecy ......Page 240 Index of Names ......Page 250 Index of Subject-Matter ......Page 254 The Book Of Definitions : Preliminary Note, Translation, And Comments (by S. M. Stern) -- The Book Of Substances : Preliminary Note, Translation, And Comments (by S. M. Stern) -- The Book On Spirit And Soul : Preliminary Note, Translation, And Comments (by S. M. Stern) -- The Mantua Text : Preliminary Note, Translation, And Comments (by A. Altmann) -- An Excerpt From The Book On The Elements : Preliminary Note, Translation, And Comments (by A. Altmann) -- The Philosophy Of Isaac Israeli (by A. Altmann) -- The Downward Way -- The Creator -- First Matter And First Form (wisdom) -- Intellect -- The Three Souls -- Nature -- Creation, Emanation, And Natural Causality -- The Elements And Composite Substances -- The Upward Way -- Purification -- Illumination -- Union -- The Role Of Philosophy -- The Role Of Prophecy. By A. Altmann And S. M. Stern ; With A New Foreword By Alfred Ivry. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.