The tradition of philosophy in the Persian-speaking world is extraordinarily rich, creative and diverse. This anthology, which is divided into five volumes, aims to communicate something of that richness and diversity. The term philosophy is understood to in its widest sense to include theological debate, philosophical Sufism and philosophical hermeneutics (喧硃尨滄勳梭). Extending over a period of more than two millennia, and showcasing translations by well-established scholars, the anthology offers full bibliographical references throughout. For anyone interested in exploring, in all their varied manifestations, the fascinating philosophical traditions of Persia, such a wide-ranging and ambitious work will be an indispensable resource.
As Islamic theology developed, many of its schools interacted with the philosophical currents of their day resulting in what is known as philosophical theology, or 域硃梭櫻鳥From Arabic, lit. Speech, discussion, argument, translated as philosophical theology, refers to theological reflection using rational philosophical argumentation to study and express the content of the faith in a coherent…. No treatment of philosophy in Persia would be complete without the inclusion of some of these writings. Texts from the most significant works of these major Islamic theological schools, both Sunni and Shi尪i, written not only in Arabic but also in Persian, are included in this volume. Among the definitive masters of both schools are many Persians, chief among them al-Ghazzl蘋 and Fakhr al-D蘋n Rz蘋 who feature prominently here. So far as Shi尪i theology is concerned it was from the beginning more philosophically inclined than the earlier schools of Sunni 域硃梭櫻鳥 and its development took place almost exclusively within Persia. Selections from Shi尪i philosophical theology in this volume range from the thirteenth century to modern times and include texts available in translation for the first time.
General Introduction, S.H. Nasr
Introductory Analysis, Mehdi Aminrazavi
Part I: Mutazilism
Introduction: S. H. Nasr
Early Mu尪tazilism:
Introduction: S.H. Nasr
1. Abul-Hudhayl 尪Allf
Introduction: S.H. Nasr
Selections
Majid Fakhry
2. Ibrh蘋m Na廕廕m:
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
Selections
Majid Fakhry
Later Mu尪tazilism:
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
3. Q廎蘋 尪Abd al-Jabbr
硃梭-紼喝眶堯紳蘋 ([The Book] That Makes Others Superfluous)
Daniel C. Peterson
Part II: Later Sunni Theological Thought
Introduction S. H. Nasr
Early Mu尪tazilism:
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
1. Abul-Hudhayl 尪Allf:
Introduction: S.H. Nasr
Selections
Majid Fakhry
2. Ibrh蘋m Na廕廕m:
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
Selections
Majid Fakhry
Later Mu尪tazilism:
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
3. Q廎蘋 尪Abd al-Jabbr
硃梭-紼喝眶堯紳蘋 ([The Book] That Makes Others Superfluous)
Daniel C. Peterson
Part III: Shiite Philosophical Theology
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
1. Na廜蘋r al-D蘋n 廜玳哀蘋
Introduction: S.H. Nasr
Tajr蘋d al-i尪tiqd (The Book of Catharsis)
Majid Fakhry
2. 尪Allmah 廎夕ll蘋
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
Shar廎 al-tajr蘋d (Commentary on the Book of Catharsis)
Majid Fakhry
3. 尪Abd al-Razzq Lh蘋j蘋
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
Gawhar-i murd (The Pearl of the Desired)
Mohammad Faghfoori
釦堯硃滄櫻娶勳梁 (O娶勳梗紳喧硃喧勳棗紳莽)
Maria Dakake
4. 廎兀san ibn 尪Abd al-Razzq Lh蘋j蘋
Majm贖尪a-yi ras尨il frs蘋
Mohammad Faghfoori
5. Mull Mahd蘋 Narq蘋
Introduction: M. Aminrazavi
Qurrat al-尪uy贖n (The Delight of the Eyes)
Joseph Lumbard
Index
Seyyed Hossein Nasr is University Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University. He is the author of over 300 articles and thirty books, and has lectured widely on Islamic philosophy.
Mehdi Aminrazavi is the author and editor of numerous books and articles, and is currently Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Mary Washington, where he directs the Middle Eastern Studies Program.