The juridical virtue of moderation and the ethical imperative of holiness: a journey through Maimonides and Levinas

Cosimo Nicolini Coen

Chapter 3 in Virtues and the Rule of Law, 2026, pp 59-74 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Based on Aristotle's ethics, Maimonides recognises in the Torah's prescriptions an expression of the Golden Mean as a virtuous habitus leading, through the Torah's allegorical reading, to the Dianoetic Virtue. While this interpretation resonates with Maimonides’ medical conception and appears compatible with his halakhic codification (though phronesis is here set aside), it is nevertheless challenged by the notion of imitatio Dei, which conveys both the heteronomous character of the Torah and its radical ethical imperative. A dialogue with Levinas allows us to address this issue by highlighting the ethical dimension of phronesis in preventing legal formalism – reminding us of the singularity of each case and individual. This may open the way towards a ‎dynamic balance between the limits of law and the radical ethical obligation, expressed through the measure of piety (midat hassidut) and the duty to accept death (Kiddush HaShem) rather than commit murder ‎or idolatry.‎

Keywords: Maimonides; Golden Mean; Imitatio Dei; Phronesis; Levinas; Kiddush Hashem (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035398072
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