Language:
English
Year of publication:
1986
Titel der Quelle:
Jerusalem Quarterly
Angaben zur Quelle:
39 (1986) 113-125
Keywords:
Talmon, J. L.
;
Jews Historiography
Abstract:
Translation of a memorial lecture delivered in Hebrew in Jerusalem, November 1980. Presents Talmon's thought on the Jews' place in the world and in history. Talmon rejected the European-centered Christian view of history which denies the importance of Judaism since the advent of Christianity (e.g. in his debate with Arnold Toynbee whom he accused of bias against the Jews). He was aware of the extent of antisemitism in the 19th century conservative tradition, but believed that the roots of modern antisemitism were not in conservatism, nationalism, or a clash of social forces, but rather in a neurosis of modern man - disappointed democrats who became racists, and rationalists who sought refuge in an absolute idea, an opposition of good and evil based on race. Talmon saw salvation for the Jews only in liberal democracy, since their involvement in universalist left-wing movements had also led to tragedy.
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