Classical Islamic Philosophy

This thematic introduction to classical Islamic philosophy focuses on the most prevalent philosophical debates of the medieval Islamic world and their importance within the history of philosophy. Approaching the topics in a comprehensive and accessible way in this new volume, Luis Xavier Lopez-Farjeat, one of the co-editors of The Routledge Companion to Islamic Philosophy, makes classical Islamic philosophy approachable for both the new and returning student of the history of philosophy, medieval philosophy, the history of ideas, classical Islamic intellectual history, and the history of religion. Providing readers with a complete view of the most hotly contested debates in the Islamic philosophical tradition, Lopez-Farjeat discusses the development of theology (kalam) and philosophy (falsafa) during the 'Abbasid period, including the translation of Aristotle into Arabic, the philosophy and theology of Islamic revelation, logic and philosophy of language, philosophy of natural science, metaphysics, psychology and cognition, and ethics and political philosophy. This volume serves as an indispensable tool for teachers, students, and independent learners aiming to discover the philosophical problems and ideas that defined the classical Islamic world.

Key Features

• Offers readers a broad, thorough view of the history of Islamic philosophy by using a thematic approach.
• Selected passages of primary texts accompany explanations in the main text, providing accessible practice for beginning to read the sometimes technical, difficult source material of the time.
• Traces the dialogues between philosophers and theologians about important and controversial topics.
• Offers both historical descriptions of the key debates in classical Islamic philosophy and current interpretations by contemporary scholars.
• Includes extensive lists for further reading at the end of each chapter, directing curious students to the best avenues for further research.