This is the full, unabridged text of one of the greatest philosophic works of all time. Written by a 12th- century thinker who was equally active as an original philosopher and as a Biblical and Talmudic scholar, it is both a classic of great historical importance and a work of living significance today.The Guide for the Perplexed was written for scholars who were bewildered by the conflict between religion and the scientific and philosophic thought of the day. It is concerned, basically, with finding a concord between the religion of the Old Testament and its commentaries, and Aristotelian philosophy. After analyzing the ideas of the Old Testament by means of "homonyms," Maimonides examines other reconciliations of religion and philosophy (the Moslem rationalists) and then proposes his own resolution with contemporary Aristotelianism. The Guide for the Perplexed was at once recognized as a masterwork, and it strongly influenced Jewish, Christian, and Moslem thought of the Middle Ages. It is necessary reading for any full comprehension of the thought of such scholastics as Aquinas and Scotus, and indispensable for everyone interested in the Middle Ages, Judaism, medieval philosophy, or the larger problems which Maimonides discusses.

Life of Maimonides Moreh Nebuchim Literature. Analysis of the Guide for the PerplexedPART I.Introduction? Dedicatory Letter The Object of the Guide On Similes Directions for the Study of this Work Introductory RemarksI The homonymity of ZelemII On Genesis iii. 5III On tabnit and temunabIV "On raah, bibbit and hazab"V On Exod. xxiv. 10VI "On ish and ishshab, ab and abot"VII On yaladVIII On makomIX On kisseX "On 'alah, yarad"XI On yashabXII On kamXIII On 'amadXIV On adamXV "On nazab, yazab"XVI On ZurXVII On Mishnah Hagigah ii. IXVIII "On karab, naga', niggash"XIX On maleXX "On ram, nissa"XXI On 'abarXXII On baXXIII "On Yaza, shub"XXIV On halakXXV On shakenXXVI "On "The Torah speaketh the language of man"XXVII On Targum of Gen. xlvi. 4XXVIII On regelXXIX On 'azebXXX On akal"XXXI, XXXII" On the Limit of Man's IntellectXXXIII to XXXVI On the Study and the Teaching of MetaphysicsXXXVII On panimXXXVIII On aborXXXIX On lebXL On ruabXLI On nefeshXLII On bayyim-mavetXLIII On kanafXLIV On 'ayinXLV On shama'"XLVI, XLVII" On the Attribution of Senses and Sensations to GodXLVIII The Targum of shama' and raahXLIX Figurative Expressions applied to AngelsL On FaithLI-LX On AttributesLI On the Necessity of Proving the Inadmissibility of Attributes in reference to GodLII Classification of AttributesLIII The Arguments of the AttributistsLIV On Exod. xxxii. 13 ; xxxiv. 7LV "On Attributes implying Corporeality, Emotion, Non-existence and Comparison"LVI "On Attributes denoting Existence, Life, Power, Wisdom and Will"LVII On the Identity of the Essence of God and His AttributesLVIII On the Negative Sense of the True Attributes of GodLIX On the Character of the Knowledge of God Consisting of NegationsLX On the Difference between Positive and Negative AttributesLXI On the Names of GodLXII "On the Divine Names composed of Four, Twelve and Forty-two Letters"LXIII "On Ehyeh, Yah and Shaddai"LXIV "On "The Name of the Lord," and "The Glory of God"LXV "On the phrase "God spake"LXVI On Exod. xxxii. 16LXVII On shabat and nahLXVIII "On the Terms "The Intellectus, the Intelligens and the Intelligibile"LXIX On the Primal CauseLXX On the attribute rokeb ba'arabotLXXI The Origin of the KalamLXXII A Parallel between the Universe and ManLXXIII Twelve Propositions of the KalamLXXIV Proofs of the Kalam for the creatio ex nibiloLXXV Proofs of the Kalam for the Unity of GodLXXVI Proofs of the Kalam for the Incorporeality of GodPART II.The Author's Introduction. The Twenty-Six Propositions employed by the Philosophers to prove the Existence of GodI "Philosophical proofs for the Existence, Incorporeality, and Unity of the First Cause"II On the Existence of Intelligences or purely Spiritual BeingsIII The Author adopts the Theory of Aristotle as least open to ObjectionsIV The Spheres and the Causes of their MotionV Agreement of the Aristotelian Theory with the Teaching of ScriptureVI "What is meant by the Scriptural Term "Angels"VII "The Homonymity of the term "Angel"VIII On the Music of the SpheresIX On the Number of the Heavenly SpheresX The Influence of the Spheres upon the Earth manifests itself in four different waysXI The Theory of Eccentricity Preferable to that of EpicyclesXII On the Nature of the Divine Influence and that of the SpheresXIII Three Different Theories about the Beginning of the UniverseXIV Seven Methods by which the Philosophers sought to prove the Eternity of the UniverseXV Aristotle does not scientifically demonstrate his TheoryXVI The Author refutes all Objections to Creatio ex nibiloXVII "The Laws of Nature apply to Things Created, but do not regulate the Creative Act which produces them"XVIII Examinations of the Proofs of Philosophers for the Eternity of the UniverseXIX Design in NatureXX The Opinion of Aristotle as regards Design in NatureXXI Explanation of the Aristotelian Theory that the Universe is the necessary Result of the First CauseXXII Objections to the Theory of the Eternity of the UniverseXXIII The Theory of Creatio ex nibilo is preferable to that of the Eternity of the UniverseXXIV Difficulty of Comprehending the Nature and the Motion of the Spheres according to the Theory of AristotleXXV "The Theory of Creation is adopted because of its own Superiority, the Proofs based on Scripture being Inconclusive"XXVI Examination of a passage from Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer in reference to CreationXXVII The Theory of a Future Destruction of the Universe is not part of the Religious Belief taught in the BibleXXVIII Scriptural Teaching is in favour of the Indestructibility of the UniverseXXIX Explanation of Scriptural Phrases implying the Destruction of Heaven and EarthXXX Philosophical Interpretation of Genesis i.-iv.XXXI "The Institution of the Sabbath serves ( I ) to Teach the Theory of Creation, and ( 2 ) to promote Man's Welfare"XXXII Three Theories concerning ProphecyXXXIII The Difference between Moses and the other Israelites as regards the Revelation on Mount SinaiXXXIV Explanation of Exodus xxiii. 20XXXV The Difference between Moses and the other Prophets as regards the Miracles wrought by themXXXVI "On the Mental, Physical and Moral Faculties of the Prophets"XXXVII On the Divine Influence upon Man's Imaginative and Mental Faculties through the Active IntellectXXXVIII Courage and Intuition reach the highest degree of Perfection in ProphetsXXXIX "Moses was the fittest Prophet to Receive and Promulgate the Immutable Law, which succeeding Prophets merely Taught and Expounded"XL The Test of True ProphecyXLI "What is Mean by "Vision"XLII Prophets Received Direct Communication only in Dreams or VisionsXLIII On the Allegories of the ProphetsXLIV On the Different Modes in which Prophets Receive Divine MessagesXLV The Various Classes of ProphetsXLVI The Allegorical Acts of Prophets formed Parts of Prophetic VisionsXLVII On the Figurative Style of the Prophetic WritingsXLVIII Scripture ascribes Phenomena directly produced by Natural Causes to God as the First Cause of all thingsPART III."The Author's Introduction and Apology for Publishing, contrary to the Teaching of the Mishnah, an Interpretation of Ezek. i."I "The "Four Faces" are Human Faces with four different peculiarities"II The Hayyot and the OfannimIII Further Explanation of the Hayyot and the Ofannim derived from Ezek. x.IV The rendering of Ofan by Gilgal in the Targum of JonathanV The Vision of Ezekiel is divided into three stages : ( 1 ) Hayyot (=the Sphere) ; ( 2 ) Ofannium (=Earthly elements) ; and ( 3 ) the man above the Hayyot (=Intelligences)VI On the Difference between the Vision of Ezekiel and that of Isaiah (vi.)VII The Different Ways in which the Prophet perceived the Three Parts of the Mercabah (Chariot)VIII Man has the Power to Control his Bodily Wants and Earthly DesiresIX The Material Element in Man Prevents him from Attaining PerfectionX God is not the Creator of EvilXI Man is the Cause of his own MisfortunesXII Three Kinds of Evil : ( 1 ) That caused by the Nature of Man ; ( 2 ) Caused by Man to Man ; ( 3 ) Caused by Man to himselfXIII The Universe has No other Purpose than its own ExistenceXIV It is the Will of the Creator that the Spheres regulate the Affairs of MankindXV "Impossible Things are not ascribed to the Creator, but it is difficult to Prove the Impossibility in each Individual Case"XVI On God's OmniscienceXVII Five Theories concerning ProvidenceXVIII Every Individual Member of Mankind enjoys the Influence of Divine Providence in proportion to his Intellectual PerfectionXIX It is an ancient Error to Assume that God takes no Notice of ManXX God's Knowledge is Different from Man's KnowledgeXXI The Creator's knowledge of His Production is PerfectXXII "Object of the Book of Job, and Explanation of the First Two Chapters"XXIII Job and his Friends Discuss the various Theories concerning ProvidenceXXIV On Trials and TemptationsXXV The Actions of God are Not PurposelessXXVI The Divine Precepts Serve a certain PurposeXXVII The Object of the Divine Precepts is to Secure the Well-being of Man's Soul and BodyXXVIII "This Object is easily seen in some Precepts, whilst in others it is only known after due Reflection"XXIX On the Sabeans or Star-worshippersXXX It is one of the Objects of the Law of Moses to Oppose IdolatryXXXI "The Law Promotes the Well-being of Man by teaching Truth, Morality and Social Conduct"XXXII Why did God give Laws to Oppose Idolatry instead of Uprooting it directly?XXXIII Another chief Object of the Law is to Train Man in Mastering his Appetites and DesiresXXXIV The Law is based on the ordinary condition of manXXXV Division of the Precepts into Fourteen ClassesXXXVI "First Class of Precepts, to Know, Love and Fear God"XXXVII "Second Class, Laws concerning Idolatry"XXXVIII "Third Class, Moral Precepts"XXXIX "Fourth Class, Laws relating to Charity"XL "Fifth Class, Compensation for Injury and the Duty of Preventing Sin"XLI "Sixth Class, Punishment of the Sinner"XLII "Seventh Class, Equity and Honesty"XLIII "Eighth Class, Sabbath and Festivals"XLIV "Ninth Class, Prayer, Tefillin, Zizit and Mezuzab"XLV "Tenth Class, The Temple, its Vessels and its Ministers"XLVI "Eleventh Class, Sacrifices"XLVII "Twelfth Class, Distinction between Clean and Unclean ; and on Purification"XLVIII "Thirteenth Class, Dietary Laws"XLIX "Fourteenth Class, Marriage Laws"LXXVI On Scriptural Passages with seemingly Purposeless ContentsLI How God is worshipped by a Perfect ManLII On the Fear of GodLIII "Explanation of Hesed (Love), Mishpat (Judgment), and Zedakah (Righteousness)"LIV On True WisdomIndex of Scriptural PassagesIndex of Quotations from the TargumimIndex of Quotations from the MidrashimIndex of Quotations from the TalmudIndex of References to Other Works of MaimonidesIndex of References to Works of Science and PhilosophyAlphabetical Index