Qoheleth and the Philosophy of Value

Auteur

Jesse Peterson is an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies in the School of Theology and Honors Program at George Fox University. His academic research brings biblical texts and traditions into dialogue with philosophy, both ancient and modern. Peterson's work on the book of Ecclesiastes and Qoheleth has been published in Harvard Theological Review, Vetus Testamentum, and the Journal of Theological Studies.

Texte du rabat

The book of Ecclesiastes is the Bible's problem child. Its probing doubts, dark ruminations, self- reflexive dialogues, and unflinching observations have puzzled and fascinated readers. This study offers a coherent portrait of the book and its author, the early Jewish sage known as Qoheleth, examining both through a philosophical lens.

Contenu

1. Introduction; Part I. Qoheleth's Negative Values: 2. The value of absent meaning: 'what gain?'; 3. The harm of death: 'no further reward'; 4. Time, agency, and value: 'what he has made crooked'; Part II. Qoheleth's Positive Values: 5. The value of (non-)existence: 'a stillborn is better off'; 6. Enjoyment as intrinsic valuation: 'nothing better'; 7. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.