1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910153149403321

Autore

Weeks Stuart

Titolo

Ecclesiastes and scepticism / by Stuart Weeks

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New York, : T & T Clark International, 2012

ISBN

1-4725-5037-4

0-567-54715-9

0-567-21940-2

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (234 p.)

Collana

Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies ; ; 541

Disciplina

223/.806

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (pages [197]-210) and index

Nota di contenuto

Qohelet -- Qohelet's world -- Living in Qohelet's world -- Observation and illusion -- Qohelet as a sceptic

Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chaper 2: The World according to Qoheleth -- Chapter 3: Profit, futility, and wisdom -- Chapter 4: The Basis of Qoheleth's analysis -- Chapter 5: Qoheleth as a sceptic -- Chapter 6: Qoheleth and his creator -- Summary & Conclusion -- The book will also include a bibliography of works cited, and -- indexes

Sommario/riassunto

By emphasising observation and empiricism as a key influence on human behaviour, this work excludes any consideration of tradition or revelation. Scholars often view the apparent scepticism of Ecclesiastes in terms of a reaction against the more confident assertions found in works like Proverbs , and the book does indeed seem to deny the possibility of humans shaping their future or changing their fate through informed action. What appears to concern the work's protagonist, whose monologue occupies most of its length, is not any scepticism about God's activity or consistency rather the problems that arise from a human inability to discern divine action or purpose. This study will seek to understand both the roots and the implications of this empiricism, comparing the monologue with other biblical and ancient literature, and suggesting that, although it has points of contact with other texts, its scepticism is largely distinctive and, unlikely to represent some broader tradition. For that reason and



others, the work as a whole is unlikely to be a satire, as is sometimes suggested, but it may be inviting critical reflection on the outlook and limitations of its protagonist. Over the last 30 years this pioneering series has established an unrivaled reputation for cutting-edge international scholarship in Biblical Studies and has attracted leading authors and editors in the field. The series takes many original and creative approaches to its subjects, including innovative work from historical and theological perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and more recent developments in cultural studies and reception history