The Modality Of Interaction Between Jewish And Christian Thought In The Middle Ages: The Problem Of Free Will And Divine Wisdom In Dante Alighieri And Menahem Recanati As A Case Study

Abstract

In order to illustrate the common ground that Aristotelian and especially Neoplatonic thought created in Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures, and selecting from a wide range of common elements shared between Dante and Jewish mysticism, this chapter focuses on the question of mediated creation, through the intervention of Divine Wisdom, and on the question of human free will. It first discusses the relation between Intellectus Possibilis, a strengthened human reason, and Intellectus Agens, the divine agent sent to help human reason to reach beyond its limits. It then discusses the idea of Love and the perception of freedom of the will. The chapter also mentions the central role played by Divine Wisdom in the fifth Fann of Even Sinas (Avicenna) Physics. Finally, on the basis of Recanatis theories, the chapter illustrates and exemplifies how one can read the developments in Dantes thought in light of the kabbalistic key. Keywords: Christian cultures; Dante Alighieri; divine wisdom; human free will; intellectus agens; intellectus possibilis; Jewish mysticism; Menahem Recanatis theories