Philosophy · Medieval & Early Modern Philosophy
A topic within Medieval & Early Modern Philosophy, itself one of 12 topics in that field and part of Philosophy.
No prior grounding assumed.
Duties of the Heart
Bahya ibn Paquda · 1080
Argues that Jewish law obliges inner devotion as much as outer observance, and works through ten 'gates' of the soul — beginning with recognising…
Assumes you know the vocabulary.
The Improvement of the Moral Qualities
Solomon ibn Gabirol · 1045
One of the earliest systematic Jewish ethical treatises, arguing each of twenty virtues and vices is governed by one of the five senses and so can be…
+1 more at this level
3 works
Bahya ibn Paquda
Argues that Jewish law obliges inner devotion as much as outer observance, and works through ten 'gates' of the soul — beginning with recognising God's unity — meant to be practised rather than merely affirmed.
link checked 17 Sept 2026Solomon ibn Gabirol
One of the earliest systematic Jewish ethical treatises, arguing each of twenty virtues and vices is governed by one of the five senses and so can be trained by disciplining that sense, independently of religious law.
link checked 17 Sept 2026Judah Halevi
Stages a debate in which a pagan king questions a rabbi, a philosopher, a Christian and a Muslim, arguing revealed religious tradition rests on a more secure foundation than philosophical reasoning ever can.
link checked 17 Sept 2026