Maimonides' Sense of History

摘要

Although it is often said that Maimonides lacked a sense of history, the truth is that he lacked our sense of history, which means a sense of history according to which historical change produces conceptual change. This article explores his use of historical materials to explain the reasons for many of the commandments as well as his commitment to the stability of human nature and scientific knowledge. Though much of his view is no longer credible, his belief in the contingency of historical change has much to recommend it. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.