Essay
Why Study 13th-Century Arab-Islamic Philosophy From al-Andalus?
Do not praise your own faith exclusively so that you disbelieve all the rest. If you do this you will miss much good. — Ibn al-Arabi
I have a weird job.
Officially, I am a ‘research coordinator.’ My job is to build and disseminate research for clients across several universities. I write grants, edit articles and publications, and construct audiences. I map information infrastructures and the relevant information consumer practices. I try to hypothesize and test how to spread a research discipline or idea.
I think I am culturally qualified for this job: I’m an ‘American.’ What an ‘American’ is, of course, differs according to individual experience. Within many international spheres of my always limited personal experience, Americans are the lowest common denominator.
What do I mean?
‘Americans’ as an audience are included in most international discussions. Often, we are not just included, we are indulged — spoiled even. Conversations and papers happen in English, our preferred language. Familiarity with our governmental and legal structures as well as our media is generally assumed. The names of our officials are…
