Ancient & Medieval Studies Colloquium presents, David DiPasquale “Maimonides: Heretic”

Presented by David DiPasquale
Professor of the Practice in the Department of Political Science at Boston College

Abstract: The brief talk will introduce the key elements and players involved in the so-called “Maimonidean Controversy” of the 13th/14th centuries, when rabbinic authorities in Montpellier and Barcelona condemned Moses ben Maimon (d. 1204) as a heretic and encouraged the burning of his Mishneh Torah and Guide of the Perplexed. We will trace the origins of this heretical brand of Aristotelianism back to the writings of Muslim philosopher Abu Nasr Alfarabi (d. 950), and compare this radical tradition of “modern” or post-classical philosophy with the more famous one inspired by Machiavelli.

Bio: David M. DiPasquale is Professor of the Practice in the Department of Political Science at Boston College, where he serves as Director of both the undergraduate John Marshall Project and Graduate Studies in the Islamic Civilization and Societies Program.

Ancient Medieval Studies Colloquium Fall 2025 | Website
December 2 – AMS: Sarah Olsen, Williams College & Naomi Weiss, Harvard University