RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY IN MAIMONIDES, AVERROES, AND AQUINAS

Abstract

AbstractOn the problem of religion and philosophy, there are a number of points in common among Maimonides, Averroes, and Aquinas. They all attempt to incorporate Aristotelian philosophy into their respective religious framework and thus link faith closely to reason, to the rational justification offered by philosophy. Nevertheless, on the precise relationship between religion and philosophy, between faith and reason, Maimonides differs significantly from both Averroes and Aquinas. His approach is shown to be less rational than that of Averroes and yet more rational than that of Aquinas. Maimonides' approach is distinctive among his medieval counterparts and of interest to the contemporary debate concerning religion and science.