The Mind of the Talmud: An Intellectual History of the Bavli (1990 Kraemer), book

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The Mind of the Talmud: An Intellectual History of the Bavli (1990) is a book by David Charles Kraemer.

Abstract

"An introduction to the Talmud describes such topics as its contents, the relationship between science and medicine and Talmudic philosophy, the Talmudic lifestyle, and blessings found in the Talmud ... An insightful look at one of the most unusual written works ever created. Compiled centuries ago by a group of wise men as a way to preserve the oral traditions of the Jewish faith, the Talmud has challenged and thrilled some of the world's greatest minds with its complex approach to exploring ideas and subjects from virtually every possible angle. This essential guide makes the ancient text of the "oral Torah" accessible for all readers, whether they're Jewish or not ... The Talmud is one of the most unusual written works ever created. Compiled centuries ago by a group of wise men as a way to preserve the oral traditions of the Jewish faith, its complex approach to exploring ideas and subjects from virtually every possible angle has challenged and thrilled some of the world's greatest minds. Not one book, but a number of volumes, the Talmud is considered the most influential document in the history of Judaism, a compendium of Jewish law, religion, history, lore, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. But what exactly does it contain? Who wrote it, and why? And of what relevance is the Talmud to Jews and non-Jews today?"--Publisher description.

Editions

Published in New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1990.

Contents

On Writing an Intellectual History of the Bavli --; The Meaning of Literary Forms --; The Bavli: A Preliminary Description --; The Bavli's Sources: On the Reliability of Attributions --; A History of Amoraic Literary Expression --; The First Amoraic Period --; The Second Amoraic Period --; The Third Amoraic Period --; The Meaning of the Evidence --; The Preservation of Amoraic Argumentation --; The Evidence --; More Evidence and Conclusions --; The Data at a Glance --; The Data in Detail --; The Bavli Considered as a Whole --; The Urgency for Argumentation --; Building on Earlier Argumentation --; Building on Brief Traditions --; Fictional Argumentation --; Argumentation for Its Own Sake --; The Bavli and the Yerushalmi Distinguished --; The Meaning of Argumentation --; A Philosophical Analysis: The Indeterminability of Truth --; Historical Underpinnings --; Theological Underpinnings --; The Erosion of Authority in the Bavli's Sources --; The Bavli on "Truth," --; The Separation of Truth and Practice --; The Centering of Human Reason: Reason and Revelation --; Human Reason on Its Own Terms: Learning Becomes Torah --; The Bavli in Comparative Perspective --; Truth in the Classical Philosophical Tradition --; Religious Traditions and Truth --; Philosophy Meets Scripture --; In Conclusion: Why the Bavli?