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Islamic Philosophy Historical Overview

Early Abbasid Baghdad

  • Known as the "Golden Age of Arabic Learning".

Intellectual History 600AD - 1600AD

  • Overview of history of science and civilization as taught in various education systems.

  • Modern Day Civilization: Influences of the Industrial Revolution, Renaissance, Romans, Greeks.

  • Examination of whether modern civilization rose from nothing, considering various historical periods, including the Dark Ages.

Principal Routes of Science into the Arabic-Islamic World

  • Key destinations of scholarly exchange during the Abbasid era: Byzantium, Athens, Edessa, Nasibin, Harran, Antioch, Emessa, Gund-i Sapur, Damascus, Baghdad, and Alexandria.

The 'Abbasids

  • Period: 750 – 1258 (132/750 to 656/1258 AD)

  • First 'Abbasid period (750-861 AD) led by: Abu 'l-‘Abbas ‘Abd Allah (al-Saffah).

Key Leaders of the Abbasid Period

  • Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ‘al-Mansur’ (754-775)

    • Established Baghdad, dubbed "The City of Peace" (Madinat al-Salam).

  • Harun b. al-Mahdi (al-Rashid)

    • Continued establishing Baghdad's significance.

  • ‘Abd Allah b.al-Rashid (al-Ma'mun) (813-833)

    • Promoted the Bayt al-Hikma (House of Wisdom).

The Translation Movement

  • Emerged from the fusion of Arab and Greek philosophical traditions, notably in Alexandria, Antioch, Edessa, Harran, Syria, and Iraq.

  • Limited translation efforts under the Umayyad, focusing on medical, astronomical, and alchemical texts.

Abbasid Interests in Translation

  • Initiated during al-Mansur's reign with translations of significant Indian and Greek works in science and medicine.

  • Al-Ma'mun's Role:

    • Key patron for translation movements.

    • Founded the House of Wisdom in 830, encouraging translations of Greek philosophical texts.

Key Figures in the Translation Movement

  • Yuhanna bin Masawayh:

    • Head of translation at the House of Wisdom.

  • Hunayn b. Ishaq:

    • Translated over 31 works; paid generously.

    • Introduced systematic translation methodologies and philological critique.

Contributions of Hunayn b. Ishaq

  • Major translator of works by Galen, Plato, and Aristotelian texts, influencing the translation movement significantly.

Philosophy and Neoplatonism

  • Neoplatonism: Last Great School of Classical Pagan Philosophy, merging various philosophical traditions.

  • Spiral of influence on philosophical thought and the rise of Christian dominance.

Neoplatonism Development

  • Established by Plotinus in the 3rd century C.E.; aimed to link philosophy with a rational life.

  • Porphyry's Contribution:

    • Assembled Plotinus's teachings into the "Enneads".

Characteristics of Neoplatonism

  • Idealistic monism: Belief in ultimate reality stemming from a perfect One.

Arabic and Islamic Philosophy (Falsafa)

  • Falsafa: Arabic term for the study of various thinkers influenced by Greek philosophy.

  • Aimed to align Islamic moral principles with Greek thought and explore humanity's place in the universe.

Key Islamic Philosophers

  • Abu Yusuf Ya’qub b. Ishaq al-Kindi:

    • The first significant Muslim philosopher, merging Qur'anic concepts with Greek philosophy.

  • Abu Nasr Muhammad b.Muhammad al-Farabi:

    • Attempted reconciliation between faith and philosophy; significant contributions in logic and ethics.

Ikhwan al-Safa’ (Brethren of Sincerity)

  • Group of Platonic philosophers producing 52 epistles covering various subjects, advocating for harmony between religion and philosophy.

Abu Bakr Al-Razi 865-925:

  • Important philosopher and medical figure, explored the therapeutic role of philosophy.

  • Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (1037):

    • Author of "The Canon of Medicine", a key work in medical understanding, known for integrating Neoplatonic thought.

Traditional Muslim Theologians vs Philosophy

  • Division between traditionalists and rationalists regarding the acceptance of philosophical thought.

  • Resistance against philosophy due to its perceived pagan roots.

al-Tusi’s Critique

  • Prominent theologian and mystic attacking philosophy through key works like "Tahafut al-Falasifa" (The Incoherence of the Philosophers).

Ibn Rushd (Averroes):

  • Defended the compatibility of philosophy and religion, critiquing al-Ghazzali and emphasizing mutual harmony.

Comparison Between Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd

  • Differences in their interpretation of Aristotle's philosophy and the relationship between philosophy and religion.

Influence of Ibn Tufayl:

  • Stimulated philosophical interest in al-Andalus with works emphasizing reason's alignment with faith.

  • His most famous work is his philosophical novel Hay b.Yaqzan

Al-Suhrawardi

  • Founder of Illuminationist philosophy, synthesizing philosophy and mysticism.

Conclusion on Influence

  • This philosophical and scientific discourse opened avenues for interaction between Arab and Western cultures, significantly influencing the 12th-century revival of Greco-Arabic philosophy in Europe.