Pharos Journal of Theology ISSN 2414-3324 online Volume 97 - (2016) Copyright: ©2016 - Open Access- Online @ http//: www.pharosjot.com 1 Qohelet and the nature of morality: A meta-ethical framework for future research Professor Jaco Gericke North-West University (Vaal Campus) Faculty of Humanities School of Basic Sciences Theology and Philosophy PO Box 1174 Vanderbijlpark 1900 21609268@nwu.ac.za Mobile 0720247134 Abstract The book of Ecclesiastes (here ‘Qohelet’), like many other books of the Hebrew Bible, is often discussed with reference to its supposed ‘ethics’. Within biblical scholarship, such research is often characterized by a meta-language filled with philosophically vague and fuzzy descriptive jargon, largely bereft of technical distinctions and nuance. One possible reason for this state of affairs may be the fact that Qohelet’s assumptions about the nature of morality have never been studied against the backdrop of issues and theories in contemporary analytic meta-ethics. In response to this gap in the research, and with proposals for conceptual refinement in mind, this article offers the first ever meta-theoretical introduction to some of the semantic, ontological, epistemological and other related meta-ethical concerns and categories which may be of use in future analyses of the foundations of Qohelet’s ‘ethics’. Keywords: Ecclesiastes, Qohelet, philosophy, ethics, meta-ethics, meta-language, meta-theory Introduction The Hebrew name of this book and of its author, Qoheleth, is in fact a title, which possibly means “assembler” (of listeners) or “collector” (of wisdom sayings). The book is more commonly called the Book of Ecclesiastes, which is a close translation into Hellenistic Greek of this Hebrew word. The book consists of an extended reflective essay which makes use of an autobiographical narrative, proverbs, parables, and also a range of allegories. There is a tone of unrelenting skepticism in the entire work. The issues with which the writer grapples and the questions raised by him, are aimed at people who claim any absolute values in this life. This includes human possessions, fame, success, or even pleasure. Wisdom is challenged, and foolishness is condemned (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2016). The words ‘ethics’ and ‘morality’ do not occur in the Book of Ecclesiastes (hereafter Qohelet). This does not mean, however, that some concept(s) of what these terms signify is not implicit in its text. Indeed, many popular commentaries appear to assume that, either in its entirety, or in part, Qohelet did presuppose some or other and ethical point(s) of view (cf. Barton, 1908;Scott, 1965; Crenshaw, 1974:23-55; 1987; Whybray, 1978:191-204, 1989; Loader, 1979; Lohfink, 1980; Gese, 1983:141-53; Ogden, 1987; Fox, 1989, 1999; Murphy, 1992; Perry, 1993; Seow, 1997; 2000:1-16; Longman, 1998; Brown, 2001:271-84; Kruger, 2004; Schwienhorst- Schonberger, 2004; Enns, 2005; Christianson, 2007; et al.)