Yitzhak Y. Melamed

Yitzhak Y. Melamed is the Charlotte Bloomberg Professor of Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), where he leads the Department of Philosophy. He holds an MA from Tel Aviv University and a PhD from Yale University (2005). His research focuses on early modern philosophy, German idealism, metaphysics, and political philosophy, with a particular emphasis on Spinoza and his engagement with Jewish thought and German Idealism.

Education & Awards:

• PhD in Philosophy, Yale University (2005)
• MA in Philosophy & History of Science/Logic, Tel Aviv University
• Recipient of Fulbright, Mellon, and American Academy for Jewish Research Fellowships
• ACLS Burkhardt, NEH, and Humboldt Fellowships (2010–2011)

Research Interests:

• Spinoza’s metaphysics and political theology
• Dialogue between Spinoza and German Idealists
• Medieval Jewish philosophy (Maimonides, Crescas)
• Philosophy of religion and political realism
• Modality and metaphysical history

Publications & Projects:

• Author of Spinoza’s Metaphysics: Substance and Thought (Oxford, 2013)
• Co-editor of Spinoza and German Idealism (Cambridge, 2012)
• Upcoming works: Modality: A History (Oxford, 2024) and a monograph on Spinoza’s political thought
• Editor of Oxford Handbook of Jewish Philosophy and Critical Guide to Spinoza’s Ethics

Awards & Recognition:

• ACLS Burkhardt Fellowship (2011)
• NEH Fellowship (2010)
• Humboldt Research Fellowship (2011)
• Recipient of international accolades for Spinoza scholarship

Current Work: Explores the intersection of metaphysics and historical philosophy, editing volumes on eternity and Jewish philosophy. His research bridges historical rigor with contemporary metaphysical debates, emphasizing Spinoza’s radical critiques of anthropocentrism and secularism.