An Introduction to Islamic PhilosophyAn Introduction to Islamic Philosophy Massimo Campanini This broad, comprehensive, and yet concise introduction presents a reading of Islamic philosophy as it evolved in the Middle Ages, investigating how Islamic philosophers thought and what they thought about. The book is divided into two parts: the first part explores the epistemological foundations of Islamic philosophy and discusses the most important and penetrating interpretative paradigms proposed by the philosophers; the second part describes some of their major themes. Each chapter is organised chronologically and geographically, providing the reader with a lucid profile of the evolution of Islamic philosophical thought, with reference to specific themes within the broader framework of Islamic history. Throughout the author includes extracts of translations from primary sources, allowing the philosophers to speak for themselves. Rather than offering a complete history of the subject, the author aims to stimulate the reader to pursue the themes he outlines in the book: the ideas that were consistently the object of philosophical speculation among Medieval Muslim thinkers whose philosophy was rooted in Platonic and Aristotelian thought. This book is ideal for students wishing to trace the background to many ideas and thought processes governing contemporary Islamic thought. Massimo Campanini has taught History and Institutions of the Muslim World at the University of Urbino. Currently he is Professor of Arabic Culture at the University of Milan. His publications include The Theory of Socialism in Egypt, Islam and Politics and The Virtuous City of al-Farabi. |
Contents
History | 3 |
What is Medieval Islamic Philosophy? | 35 |
Ways of Philosophising | 64 |
Copyright | |
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according acquired actions active active intellect Agent Intellect al-Fārābī al-Ghazālī appear Arabic Aristotelian Aristotle assert attributes Avempace Averroes Avicenna become body Book caliphate called cause Chapter clear commentaries common concept considered created creation described direct discussion divine doctrine elements emanation entirely essence eternal example existence expression fact faculty follows forms gives God's Greek hand happiness human ideas important individual influence intelligibles interpretation Islamic philosophy justice knowledge leads light material intellect matter means metaphysical Mu'tazilite Muslim nature necessary object opinion original particularly perfect Persian philosophers Platonic political position possible potential principle produces prophetic question Qur'an rational reality reason received relation religion religious represents revelation seems seen sense single society soul speaking speculative sphere texts theology things thinking thought tradition Treatise true truth understanding University virtuous writes