Arabic / Islamic Philosophy

Prof. Richard C. Taylor

Short Course Description:

This course in Arabic / Islamic philosophy presents traditional philosophical problems and issues such as the nature of human being and human happiness, the nature of social and political thought, the role of religion in society, reason and religion, the theory of knowledge, the nature of metaphysics, the nature and causality of God, and related topics. Among the major figures studied are al-Kindî, al-Fârâbî, Ibn Sînâ (Avicenna), al-Ghazâlî, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Ibn Bâjja (Avempace), Ibn Tufayl, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Suhrawardî, Mulla Sadrâ, and others. There will also be discussion of key aspects of the influence of translated classical Arabic / Islamic philosophy on Christian thought in the Latin West in the 12th and 13th centuries. Political and religious movements in the development of social thought in the 19th, 20th & 21st centuries will also be considered.

    Grading will be based on (i) two exams (25%) each, (ii) a short essay assignment of 5 pp. (10%), (iii) a course paper of ca.10 pp. (30%), and (iv) quality of classroom and on-line participation by way of discussion and questions (10%).