Comparative Study Of The Origins Of Ethical Thought

Introduction: “Wonder”

Part I: The Practical Philosophy Of The Ancient Greeks

The Presocratics (1):The Ionians

The Presocratics (2):The Italian Thracians

Socrates And Plato (I):Socrates, The Sophists, And Plato

Socrates And Plato (II): Focusing On Plato

Aristotle (I): Happiness And Ethical Excellence

Aristotle (2): The Doctrine Of The Mean And The Doctrine Of Virtue

Aristotle (3): Intellectual Excellence And Contemplation

Part II: The Religious Ethics Of The Ancient Hebrews

The Ten Commandments (1): Focusing On The Sixth To Ninth Commandments

The Ten Commandments (2): Focusing On The First Commandment

Legal Codes: The Book Of The Covenant, The Deuteronomic Code, And The Holiness Code

The Wisdom Literature (1): Proverbs

The Wisdom Literature (2): The Book Of Job

Part III: The Consequences Of Hellenic And Hebrew Ethics

Retribution Ethics In Hebrew Religion: Focusing On The Qohelet

Hebrew Religious Ethics And Atonement Ideology: Focusing On The Prophets

A Reflection On The Greek Philosophy Of Love And Righteousness, Based On Aristotle

Conclusion: Revisiting “Wonder

Additional Info
The Origins of Ethical Thought: A Comparative Study Between Hellenism and Hebraism is the first text to analyze both Greek and Hebrew ethical thought based on a comprehensive and ideological interpretation of the two systems on their own and in relation to one another. An innovative work of interdisciplinary scholarship, this book focuses on the plurality of perspectives between and within the respective ethical systems. Without overdrawing comparisons, the author engages selected primary and secondary texts and highlights the traits that distinguish the two fields while revealing the commonalities underlying ancient Hebraic and Hellenistic concepts of the self in relation to the “other,” whether on the human or super-human level. He reveals that both ethical systems are based on a sense of “wonder,” which, he argues, can and should be rehabilitated as a foundation for a new ethics that is in touch with the transcendent and metaphysical.

Moreover, writing from a Japanese frame of reference, the author incorporates important insights by Eastern thinkers that are often overlooked in the West. Well conceived and logically presented, The Origins of Ethical Thought covers the practical philosophy of the ancient Greeks from the Presocratics through Aristotle, the religious ethics of the Ancient Hebrews from the Ten Commandments to the Wisdom literature, and the consequences of Greek and Hebrew ethics from philosophical ideas of love and righteousness to religious notions of retribution and atonement.