Avicenna – Jon McGinnis

Abstract:

“Ex nihilo nihilo fit: Nothing comes from nothing, and Avicenna and his philosophy are no exception. Indeed, multiple influences were at work in the formation of his thought. In this chapter, I consider a few of these influ- ences so as to provide a general backdrop against which to situate the intel- lectual and political-historical milieu within which Avicenna worked.1 To this end, I begin the odyssey that was Avicenna’s life with a brief look at the Greek scientific and philosophical course curriculum being taught at the Academies in Athens and Alexandria, which in turn became the standard regimen of study for those practitioners of falsafa, that is, the Arabic philo-“

McGinnis, Avicenna
McGinnis, AvicennaDownload

The Routledge Companion to Islamic Philosophy – Taylor and Lopez-Farjeat

Abstract:

“This valuable reference work synthesizes and elucidates traditional themes and issues in Islamic philosophy as well as prominent topics emerging from the last 20 years of scholarship. Written for a wide readership of students and scholars, The Routledge Companion to Islamic Philosophy is unique in including coverage of both perennial philosophical issues in an Islamic context and also distinct concerns that emerge from Islamic religious thought. This work constitutes a substantial affirmation that Islamic philosophy is an integral part of the Western philosophical tradition”

Taylor And Lopez-Farjeat (eds.), The Routledge Companion To Islamic Philosophy
Taylor And Lopez-Farjeat (eds.), The Routledge Companion To Islamic PhilosophyDownload

Al-Kindi, On the Device for Dispelling Sorrows

Abstract:

“Although less technical philosophically than many of al-Kind¯‡’s known treatises, this Epistle remains basic for understandin g the spirit that underlies his thinking. Socratic, yet very Kindian in spirit, this Epistle displays its author’s tendency to harmonize Greek philosoph y and Islam, particularl y as this relates to ethics, and his belief in man’s free will and reason. To him, sorrows may be caused either by our own actions or by the actions of others. It is up to us to choose to do or not to do what saddens us. Through reason we can eliminate some of the causes of sorrow when we perceive the intellectual world, and derive from it things desired. Though this Epistle has a signiŽcant share of the linguisti c and stylistic complexities characteristi c of al-Kind¯‡’s writing, it is hoped that the present translation will facilitate its comprehension.“

Al-Kindi, On The Device For Dispelling Sorrows

Knowledge in Later Islamic Philosophy: Mullā Sadrā on Existence, Intellect, and Intuition – Ibrahim Kalin

Abstract:

“Ibrahim Kalin’s Knowledge in Later Islamic Philosophy is an investigation into the epis- temology of the famous Safavid philosopher Mullā Sadrā Shīrāzī (d. 1640). Such a study is an event in itself, owing to the fact that although there are some twenty books on various aspects of Sadrā’s thought in European languages, this wide- ranging dimension of his philosophy has not received the attention it rightly deserves. Kalin approaches Sadrā’s theory of knowledge through a detailed analysis of his treat- ment of a particular issue in the history of philosophy, namely the problem dealing“

Review Of Kalin, Knowledge In Later Islamic Philosophy (IS 45.3, 2012)
Review Of Kalin, Knowledge In Later Islamic Philosophy (IS 45.3, 2012)Download

An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia 4

Abstract:

“The series “An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia” is a massive multi-volume project that seeks to give coverage to Persia’s rich philosophical heritage, from its pre-Islamic past down to the end of the nineteenth century CE. Etymologically, the word “anthology” refers to a “gathering” or “selection” of flowers. The Persian sensibility to flora notwithstanding, it therefore makes perfect sense that the editors – both eminent scholars of Islamic philosophy – would choose such a format, which allows for the broadest possible presentation of a diverse range of materials. Indeed, when the fifth and final volume is published, the full series will present over“

Review Of Nasr And Aminrazavi (eds.), An Anthology Of Philosophy In Persia 4 (ICMR 25.2, 2014)
Review Of Nasr And Aminrazavi (eds.), An Anthology Of Philosophy In Persia 4 (ICMR 25.2, 2014)Download

Devil’s Advocate: ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s Defence of Iblis in Context – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

“The writings of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt Hamadānī (d. 525/1131) anticipate some of the major trends that characterize the post-Avicennan ḥikmat tradition. But modern scholarship has as of yet not completely come to grips with the far-reaching implications of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s teachings, many of which are framed in terms of the symbolic language and imagery of the Persian Sufi school of passionate love (madhhab-i ʿishq) and the defence of the devil’s monotheism (tawḥīd-i Iblīs). The focus in this article will be upon this lat- ter aspect of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s Sufi doctrine. Upon closer inspection, his “Satanology” (for lack of a better term) turns out to not only be concerned with a defence of the devil as a tragic, fallen lover of God; it is also intimately related to our author’s robust theodicy, as well as his theory of human freedom and constraint. At the same time, ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s defence of Iblis demonstrates his understanding of philosophical and theological discourse as themselves symbolic representations of another, higher form of being and knowing.“

Devil's Advocate (SI 115.1, 2020)
Devil’s Advocate (SI 115.1, 2020)Download

Review of Kaukua, Self-Awareness in Islamic Philosophy – Mohammed Rustom

Review Of Kaukua, Self-Awareness In Islamic Philosophy (JAOS 138.1, 2018)
Review Of Kaukua, Self-Awareness In Islamic Philosophy (JAOS 138.1, 2018)Download

Knowledge in Later Islamic Philosophy:Mullā Ṣadrā on Existence, Intellect, and Intuition –

Abstract:

“This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Ansubstantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of aninstructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.“

Review Of Kaukua, Self-Awareness In Islamic Philosophy (JAOS 138.1, 2018)
Review Of Kaukua, Self-Awareness In Islamic Philosophy (JAOS 138.1, 2018)Download

History of Islamic Philosophy

Abstract:

Islamic philosophy has often been treated as being largely of historical interest, and belonging to the history of ideas rather than to philosophical study. This volume successfully overturns such a view. Emphasizing the living nature and rich diversity of the subject, it• examines the main thinkers and schools of thought, from the earliest period to the present day…

Nasr_Seyyed_Hossein_Leaman_Olivier_eds.
Nasr_Seyyed_Hossein_Leaman_Olivier_eds.Download

Storytelling as Philosophical Pedagogy:The Case of Suhrawardī – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

“Amongt the writings of Shihābal-Dīn Suhrawardī(d.587/1191),the founder of the School of Illumination and a key figure in post-Avicennan Islamic philosophy, are a series of visionary tales. In the context of each of these narratives, Suhrawardī employs numerous symbolic images in order to convey several key ideas that punctuate his philosophy. Given their concrete language, these tales add a dimension of depth not easily discernible in Suhrawardī’s strictly speaking philosophical works, given the latter’s reliance upon abstract language.”

Storytelling As Philosophical Pedagogy (Knowledge And Education In Classical Islam, 2020)
Storytelling As Philosophical Pedagogy (Knowledge And Education In Classical Islam, 2020)Download

The Ocean of Nonexistence – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

In this article, I would like to offer some remarks on what Rumi has to say about love. What, in other words, is it? From his perspective,inquiring into the nature of love can only give one partial answers,since the very inquiry into what love is entails a partial question. The easiest way for Rumi to explain what love is, is by saying that we will know what it is when we get there. Consider these lines:

The_Ocean_of_Nonexistence
The_Ocean_of_NonexistenceDownload

The End of Islamic Philosophy – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

Islamic traditional teachings are couched in a language which is not easily understood by many contemporary men, especially those with a modern education. The old treatises were usually written in a syllogistic language which is no longer prevalent today. What must be done is to disengage the content of Islamic philosophy from the language which is now not well received and to present it in terms more conformable to the intellectual horizon of our contemporaries. What is needed essentially is a re-presentation of the whole body of Islamic wisdom in a contemporary language. Thus those who seek for various problems the solution offered by this form of wisdom will find it without the barrier of unfamiliar language or thought structure…..

The_End_of_Islamic_Philosophy
The_End_of_Islamic_PhilosophyDownload