For the Straussians among you, et al.

Cross posted at Political Arguments.

The beloved Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy has a new essay on The Influence of Islamic Thought on Maimonides.

A visionary thinker and prolific author, Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) writes on topics ranging from physics to Jewish Law, theology to politics, psychology to Biblical exegesis, and from philosophy to medicine. Rich and complex in their own right, Maimonides' writings must, however, be understood within their 12th-13th century Spanish Islamicate context, revealing, as they do, the imprint of earlier Greek and Islamic philosophical traditions. In this entry, we will uncover some of the philosophical underpinnings of Maimonides' work in an effort to best understand his ideas.

I know that this is of interest to many, not only those who read in Rambam's œuvre the tension between Athens and Jerusalem. So read, enjoy, and discuss amongst yourselves.

I, for one, remain contentedly post-Hobbesian.