Saadia`s Anti-Skepticism among Skeptical Movements in the Middle Ages

In his introduction and first section of the " Emunot ve-Deʽot," Saadia makes a genuine attempt and devotes great efforts to rebutting and refuting skeptical movements that were active in his time. He argues that mistakes and changes of opinion are part of the quest for the truth. These mistakes and changes of opinion are not to be taken, according to Saadia, as a proof that nothing can be known. The fact that Saadia devotes in his work long discussions to deal with skeptical problems should not be underestimated. Indeed, it is not a purely introductory question but rather a historical testimony of an extent phenomenon of skeptical theories in his time.

The lecture will focus mainly on the presence of skeptical movements before and during Saadia’s time as reflected in his work(s). Moreover, the analysis of Saadia`s Anti-Skepticism will be addressed through the lenses of modern studies on Medieval Skepticism.