
An Introduction to Islamic Philosophy
Massimo Campanini(Author)
Edinburgh University Press
Published on 20. February 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-0-7486-2608-3 (ISBN)
Description
This broad introduction presents a survey 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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
Campanini's book achieves everthing that a good introduction to Islamic Philosophy should achieve, and more. It is commendable for its clarity, sound argumentation, sensible organisation, and brevity. Its treatment of the relationship between philosophy and Islami - which defines this philosophical tradition - truly makes the book shine. The reader will close this short book with a firm understanding of what Islamic philosophy is at its core, a healthy appreciation for the Islamic philosophical tradition, and a desire to explore it further. -- W. Craig Streetman, University of Kentucky in Journal of Shi's Islamic Studies Vol II No. 4 (2009) Campanini's book achieves everthing that a good introduction to Islamic Philosophy should achieve, and more. It is commendable for its clarity, sound argumentation, sensible organisation, and brevity. Its treatment of the relationship between philosophy and Islami - which defines this philosophical tradition - truly makes the book shine. The reader will close this short book with a firm understanding of what Islamic philosophy is at its core, a healthy appreciation for the Islamic philosophical tradition, and a desire to explore it further.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 139 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
256 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7486-2608-3 (9780748626083)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Massimo Campanini
Introduction to Islamic Philosophy
E-Book
01/2020
1st Edition
Edinburgh University Press
€0.00
Available for download
Persons
Massimo Campanini is Professor of Arabic Culture at the University of Milan. His publications include The Theory of Socialism in Egypt (1987), Islam and Politics (1999) and The Virtuous City of al-Farabi (1996).
Author
Professor of Arabic CultureUniversity of Milan
Translation
Content
ForewordAcknowledgementsA Note on the TranslationPart One: Finding a ParadigmChapter 1: HistoryChapter 2: What is Medieval Islamic Philosophy?Chapter 3: Ways of PhilosophisingPart Two: Thought and Action: Some Major Themes in Islamic PhilosophyChapter 4: Tawhid, Pillar of Islamic ThoughtChapter 5: The Structure of the CosmosChapter 6: The Human IntellectChapter 7: Necessity or Freedom in Divine ActionChapter 8: Ethics and PoliticsNotesBibliography