Broadcasts on Jewish Philosophy at PHILOSOPHER'S ZONE.

Including the following programmes:

• Overview 1: We begin this series with an introduction to Jewish philosophy, from Ancient times onwards - an attempt to explore some of the key thinkers and recurring philosophical questions. Our guide is Tamar Rudavsky from Ohio State University (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/stories/2011/3318686.htm);
• Overview 2: in part two of our introduction we take up the story during the 17th century, with the great European thinker Baruch Spinoza. Tamar Rudavsky from Ohio State University is again our guide (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/stories/2011/3318715.htm);
• Maimonides: Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, also known as Maimonides, became a hugely important figure in that great era of Moorish cultural flourishing, 12th century Spain (Cordoba). Maimonides adapted the ideas of Aristotle, was a significant influence on Thomas Aquinas, and became one of the leading Rabbinical scholars of his time, and perhaps of all time (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/stories/2011/3318761.htm);
• Moses Mendelssohn: Moses Mendelssohn scandalised his more pious fellow 18th century Germans when he said: 'My religion recognises no obligation to resolve doubt other than through rational means; and it commands no mere faith in eternal truths.' This week we look at the life and ideas of one of the great proponents of Judaism as a rational religion (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/stories/2011/3318825.htm);
• Martin Buber: Martin Buber was born in pre-Nazi Austria and emigrated to Israel in 1938 where he spent much of the rest of his life. He grappled with Zionism, Jewish thought, secular philosophy and politics and the result is a body of thought very much based on relationships (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/stories/2011/3318843.htm).