PHIL 29908 - Islamic Philosophy & Theology

Course Credit: 1
This course will provide an in-depth introduction to Islamic Philosophy and Theology. Our concentration will be on the classical period (9th-12th centuries), but we will also touch on post-classical and modern Islamic philosophers. We will explore the intellectual culture of medieval Islam, the relationship between philosophy and mysticism and between philosophy and theology, epistemology, ethics, and the influence of Greek and Jewish tradition. Our focus will be on getting through the philosophers themselves with our own intellects as guides, so we will read a number of primary sources in English translation, including the works of al-Kindi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, al-Ghazzali, Ibn Rushd, and Ibn al-Arabi. Class structure will include brief background lectures but center on discussion of readings. Some knowledge of Greek philosophical tradition would be welcome but will not be necessary.