Near Eastern Languages and Cultures | Islamic Philosophy
N365 | 27226 | Walbridge

Islamic philosophy is the link between classical and medieval
European philosophy and thus played a significant role in the
development of the Western philosophical tradition.  It is,
moreover, a sophisticated philosophical tradition in its own right
and is still taught as a living tradition in Iran.  It has made
particularly interesting contributions in ontology and the
philosophy of religion and mysticism.
The course will introduce the chief philosophers, schools, and
issues of Islamic philosophy, based mainly on reading original
sources in translation.  Philosophers to be covered will include
Farabi, Avicenna, Ibn Tufayl, Averroes, Suhrawardi, Ibn Arabi, and
Mulla Sadra.  Issues to be discussed will include the relationship
between religion and philosophy, philosophy and society, the
essence/existence and necessary/contingent distinctions, the basis
of rational knowledge, and the relationship between mysticism and
No prerequisites, although some knowledge of Islam or classical or
medieval philosophy is helpful.