The ambivalent attitude toward philosophy in the sixteenth century

Sixteenth century literature, both sermons and Biblical commentary, contain philosophical material, whether first, second or third hand. Even commentators whose general orientation can be defined as Kabbalistic and not philosophical, use philosophical sources and methodology. However, almost no books dealing mainly with commentaries on Aristotle's works were published by Jewish scholars. It is imperative that we differentiate between the use of philosophical writings and their printing and publication. The authors or their relatives preferred to publish what seemed to them as more acceptable to the buying public, or perhaps as even more important. They didn't publish interpretations of philosophical writings, but prefered the type of books more concerned with the religious way of life and the study of Torah, such as responsa or homilies. They believed that any scholar specifically interested in philosophical treatises would be able to acquire them from the libraries or from other scholars.