The Ethics of Desire
Tom Miller (Ldr) writes:
"Diana Lipton from the University of Cambridge came to Oundle to discuss the ethics of the Hebrew Bible in a talk entitled The Desire for Ethics or the Ethics of Desire? at a Senior Theology Society Seminar on May 2nd, 2006.
Being relatively unfamiliar with the Old Testament I was fascinated by Dr Lipton’s interpretation of the text, and was particularly struck by the extent to which a seemingly straightforward story of Joseph’s refusal of Potiphar’s wife could, upon closer examination, turn into an ethical minefield.
During the seminar my perceptions of the Genesis story were altered dramatically when Professor Lipton pointed out that the original Hebrew text is riddled with euphemisms, and that the majority of Hebrew words have many different English definitions which can completely transform the meaning of the story.
Professor Lipton was immensely engaging, and prompted everyone to voice their opinion in the discussion which followed."
Professor Lipton is Director of Studies in Theology at Newnham College.