
HoP 158 - Born Under a Bad Sign - Freedom and Astrology in Jewish Philosophy
History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps
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The Importance of Astrology
Ibn Dawud walked a careful line with respect to astrology. His system shows that the stars do cause some events, so there could be a basis for this controversial science. But it also ensures that we humans are not the mere playthings of the stars. A far more hostile line was taken by Maimonides. He blames the destruction of the temple on the idolatrous practices of astrologers among early Jews.
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