The Pursuit of Happiness in Medieval Jewish and Islamic Thought

Studies Dedicated to Steven Harvey

Edited by Yehuda Halper

Book cover: The Pursuit of Happiness in Medieval Jewish and Islamic Thought

Extent: 432, 432 pages

Publisher: Brepols Publishers

Subjects: Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, Medieval Studies, Philosophy

Series: Philosophy in the Abrahamic Traditions of the Middle Ages

Series volume number: 1

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(October 2021)

ISBN: 9782503591438

Price: $138.00

In stock

Explore the teachings on happiness by a range of thinkers from antiquity through Spinoza.


The articles in this volume explore the teachings on happiness by a range of thinkers from antiquity through Spinoza, most of whom held human happiness to comprise intellectual knowledge of that which is Good in itself, namely God. These thinkers were from Greek pagan, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian backgrounds and wrote their works in Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, and Latin. Still, they shared similar philosophical views of what constitutes the Highest Good, and of the intellectual activities to be undertaken in pursuit of that Good. Yet, they differed, often greatly, in the role they assigned to deeds and practical activities in the pursuit of this happiness. These differences were, at times, not only along religious lines, but also along political and ethical lines. Other differences treated the relationship between the body and intellectual happiness and the various ways in which bodily health and well-being can contribute to intellectual health and true happiness.

  • Edited by Yehuda Halper