Ecclesiastes and Scepticism [Paperback]

Scholars often view the apparent scepticism of Ecclesiastes in terms of a reaction against the more confident assertions found in works like Proverbs, and the book does indeed seem to deny the possibility of humans shaping their future or changing their fate through informed action. What appears to concern the work's protagonist, whose monologue occupies most of its length, is not any scepticism about God's activity or consistency, but rather the problems that arise from a human inability to discern divine action or purpose.

This study seeks to understand both the roots and the implications of this empiricism, comparing the monologue with other biblical and ancient literature, and suggesting that, although it has points of contact with other texts, its scepticism is largely distinctive, and unlikely to represent some broader tradition.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chaper 2: The World according to Qoheleth

Chapter 3: Profit, futility, and wisdom

Chapter 4: The Basis of Qoheleth's analysis

Chapter 5: Qoheleth as a sceptic

Chapter 6: Qoheleth and his creator

Summary & Conclusion

The book will also include a bibliography of works cited, and
indexes.