The New Thinkery

← The New Thinkery18 jun 2025 · 1 u 18 min

Joshua Parens on Maimonides' Guide of the Perplexed

Joshua Parens on Maimonides' Guide of the Perplexed18 jun 20251 u 18 min

Josh Parens joins Alex and Greg to discuss his recently released book, Maimonides's Guide on Obstacles to Knowledge, Being, and Action. Parens elaborates on a bold interpretation of Maimonides's Guide of the Perplexed that highlights how the philosopher uses "obstacles" to structure his defense of law, prophecy, and providence. This episode delves into Parens' middle-ground reading, reframing skeptical and dogmatic extremes as intentionally vague limits that safeguard both revelation and philosophical reason.