5 Best Books On Islamic Philosophy You Must Read
This article includes books for all learning styles, from basic introductions to well-known masterpieces of Islamic philosophy. Notably, there is no definitive work on Islamic philosophy. The ideal book for you will mostly depend on your preferred method of learning and how much time and effort you are ready to devote to reading. For instance, you might want to start with a brief, approachable introduction if you frequently have trouble understanding great books of philosophy. You can select a more thorough introduction or pick up one of the classics if you desire more depth. Furthermore, you can first read books on Islamic history for a better understanding. Well in this post, we will tell you the best books on Islamic philosophy.
Also read best books on Islamic history
Best Books On Islamic Philosophy
1. PHILOSOPHY IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION BY PETER ADAMSON
Few themes in the history of philosophy are as pertinent to the cultural and political climate of today as philosophy in the Islamic world. This intellectual tradition is still one of the less well-known ones. Peter Adamson examines the development of philosophy among Muslims, Jews, and Christians who resided in Islamic countries, from its historical roots through philosophers of the 20th century, in this Very Short Introduction.
Adamson introduces the fundamental philosophical issues of the Islamic world and combines concepts from the Abrahamic and Islamic faiths to think about the big philosophical questions that still elicit discussion: What connection is there between logic and religion? What are the chances of establishing God’s existence? What kind of thing is knowledge? This book disputes the notion that philosophy and science are on the decline in the Islamic world, drawing on the most recent research in the area to show how they have a rich history and intersect with other religions and philosophical systems.
2. CLASSICAL ARABIC PHILOSOPHY: AN ANTHOLOGY OF SOURCES BY MCGINNIS & REISMAN
This volume introduces the major classical Arabic philosophers through extensive selections from the key works (many of which are translated for the first time here) in each of the disciplines to which they made significant contributions, such as logic, philosophy of science, natural philosophy, metaphysics, ethics, and politics.
Students approaching the subject for the first time, as well as instructors with little to no academic background in Arabic thinking, can benefit from a lengthy Introduction that places the works in their historical, cultural, and philosophical settings. There is also a glossary, a limited bibliography, and an index.
3. THE CAMBRIDGE COMPANION TO ARABIC PHILOSOPHY BY PETER ADAMSON
Greek philosophical writings and the indigenous Islamic theological concepts served as inspiration for philosophy published in Arabic and the Islamic world, which represents one of the great traditions of Western philosophy. By way of chapters devoted to certain thinkers (such al-Farabi, Avicenna, and Averroes) or groups, especially during the “classical” period from the ninth to the twelfth century, this collection of articles by some of the top experts in Arabic philosophy offers an introduction to the topic.
4. PHILOSOPHY IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD BY PETER ADAMSON
This volume, the most recent in a series based on the well-liked History of Philosophy podcast, gives viewers a comprehensive overview of the first comprehensive history of philosophy in the Islamic world. By including a comprehensive discussion of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim intellectuals and by tracing the history of philosophy from its inception in the realm of early Islam all the way up to the twentieth century, it adopts a method unheard of in introductions to this subject. The book examines lesser-known intellectuals, such as women philosophers, in addition to well-known thinkers like Avicenna, Averroes, and Maimonides. The philosophical significance of Islamic mysticism — the Sufi tradition within Islam and Kabbalah among Jews — and science — with chapters on fields like optics and astronomy — are also discussed.
5. THE METAPHYSICS OF THE HEALING BY AVICENNA
The Healing is considered by many to be the greatest work of Islamic philosophy by Avicenna, who also developed a distinctive political and religious philosophy. The Metaphysics, now translated by Michael Marmura, serves as this monumental work’s dramatic conclusion. Avicenna’s cornerstone of Islamic philosophy is now easier to understand than ever thanks to Marmura’s adept translation and in-depth annotations.
Avicenna explores the concept of existence in The Metaphysics, and his inquiry into the origin of all things prompts him to reflect on the essence of God. Avicenna draws his theory of divine causation from this dialogue, which integrates Islamic, Neoplatonic, and Aristotelian concepts. As he discusses the divine attributes, divine providence, the afterlife, and the ideal “virtuous” city with its philosopher-prophet as the human link between the earthly and heavenly realms, Avicenna establishes some of the fundamental concepts of his religious and political philosophy within this emanative scheme. With the publication of this edition, The Metaphysics can now be appreciated as one of the finest examples of traditional Islamic philosophy.
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