What is Jewish Philosophy? A view from the Middle Ages

The University of Chicago Center in Beijing
20th floor, Culture Plaza
No. 59A Zhong Guan Cun Street
Haidian District Beijing 100872

On December 18, over 30 participants gathered at the University of Chicago Center in Beijing for an insightful lecture titled “What is Jewish Philosophy? A View from the Middle Ages” by Josef Stern, William H. Colvin Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the University of Chicago. Moderated by Dr. Zening Ge, Executive Director of the UChicago Center in Beijing, the event provided the audience with a precious opportunity to engage with a distinguished expert in the field of Medieval Jewish and Islamic Philosophy and hear his insights on Jewish Philosophy.

Stern’s lecture explored whether a distinctive Jewish philosophy exists. Drawing on medieval Jewish philosophy, he argued that it cannot be defined solely by the identity or religious context of its philosophers. Instead, he suggested viewing it as a philosophical ‘tradition’, a causally related sequence of philosophers who influence and are influenced by each other and engaged in a distinguishable dialogue among themselves. After the lecture, attendees participated in a lively Q&A session, giving them the opportunity to pose questions, share their thoughts, and engage directly with Professor Stern. A reception followed the Q&A session, allowing the attendees to exchange their thoughts and ideas on the lecture, as well as having further discussions with Professor Stern and fellow participants.

This event reflects the UChicago Center in Beijing’s commitment to fostering intellectual exchange and showcasing groundbreaking research. This lecture served as an ideal platform for scholars in the relevant field as well as enthusiasts of the Jewish culture offering them a unique opportunity to stay updated on the recent research  and contribute to ongoing discussions.