Dialectic of separation. Judaism and philosophy in the work of Salomon Munk

Salomon Munk (1803–1867) belonged to a group of German-Jewish scholars who pioneered the systematic study of Arabic, Judeo-Arabic and IslamSalomon Munk (1803–1867) belonged to a group of German-Jewish scholars who pioneered the systematic study of Arabic, Judeo-Arabic and Islamic philosophy in Western Europe in the 19th century, in the context of a movement that came to be known as the Science of Judaism (Wissenschaft des Judentums). The aim of these scholars was to study Judaism in its manifold aspects and historical contexts, and to interpret it in the light of modern science – in particular, historiography and philology – and thereby to elevate Jewish Studies to the status of an academic discipline. Munk's ground-breaking studies of Arabic and Judeo-Arabic sources carried out in France after his emigration in 1828, were to play a central role in the development of the movement, exerting a major influence on 19th century German and French Oriental studies and opening the path to the entire field of studies dealing with the reciprocal influences between Jewish, Islamic and Christian thought during the Middle Ages. Despite this fact, Munk’s life and work have yet to be studied in a systematic way. In an attempt to fill this gap, this book examines the life and work of this extraordinary representative of German Jewry, whose scientific activity spanned the domains of philology and philosophy, and restores Munk to the pantheon of wissenschaft scholars sheding light on the emergence of the academic field of Jewish philosophy.ic philosophy in Western Europe in the 19th century, in the context of a movement that came to be known as the Science of Judaism (Wissenschaft des Judentums). The aim of these scholars was to study Judaism in its manifold aspects and historical contexts, and to interpret it in the light of modern science – in particular, historiography and philology – and thereby to elevate Jewish Studies to the status of an academic discipline. Munk's ground-breaking studies of Arabic and Judeo-Arabic sources carried out in France after his emigration in 1828, were to play a central role in the development of the movement, exerting a major influence on 19th century German and French Oriental studies and opening the path to the entire field of studies dealing with the reciprocal influences between Jewish, Islamic and Christian thought during the Middle Ages. Despite this fact, Munk’s life and work have yet to be studied in a systematic way. In an attempt to fill this gap, this book examines the life and work of this extraordinary representative of German Jewry, whose scientific activity spanned the domains of philology and philosophy, and restores Munk to the pantheon of wissenschaft scholars sheding light on the emergence of the academic field of Jewish philosophy.

Oltre a rendere possibile la riscoperta di uno dei pionieri dello studio della filosofia araba, islamica ed ebraica medievale riempiendo una lacuna della storiografia filosofica moderna e contemporanea, il libro mette in questione la validità delle categorie di Oriente e Occidente e riconsidera l'influenza che queste categorie hanno avuto sulla formazione del canone filosofico in epoca moderna e contemporanea, inserendosi nel più attuale dibattito internazionale su questi temi. Il carattere interdisciplinare del libro è determinato dalla natura del soggetto. Il libro tocca in maniera organica diversi ambiti disciplinari dalla filosofia alla filologia, dalla filosofia del linguaggio e dalla linguistica alla storia della filosofia, dalla filosofia della religione all'ebraistica e all'islamistica. Il volume è la prima ricostruzione aggiornata, critica e corredata da un'edizione di documenti inediti e di notizie biografiche, dell'opera e del pensiero di uno dei più importanti arabisti e filosofi ebrei del XIX secolo.