| Books of Definition in Islamic Philosophy: The Limits of Words Contributor(s): Kennedy-Day, Kiki (Author) |
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ISBN: 0700717234 ISBN-13: 9780700717231 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $152.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: December 2002 Annotation: The first section of this book surveys the development of Islamic philosophy though an examination of the definitions for substance, cause and matter. These important philosophical terms were defined by each new generation of philosophers. The definitions show an awareness of Greek philosophy, but also take metaphysical thought into an Islamic matrix. In the second section the author translates Ibn Sina's i Kitab al-hudud /i (Book of Definition) and puts the tenth-century philosopher in his proper geopolitical sphere. Questions of Ibn Sina' connection with the East as well as medieval scholastic philosophy are considered. br Teaching Islamic philosophy outside of the Arabic-speaking world has been handicapped by a lack of primary texts in translation and studies of basic concepts. This book makes the foundation of this field more accessible to students and a general readership. By translating this little-known but pivotal text into readable English, Kennedy-Day has opened a door for a wider range of readers. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Middle Eastern - Religion | Islam - History - Philosophy | Eastern |
| Dewey: 181.07 |
| LCCN: 2002031700 |
| Physical Information: 0.69" H x 6.9" W x 8.98" (0.98 lbs) 216 pages |
| Themes: - Religious Orientation - Islamic - Cultural Region - Middle East |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Islamic Philosophy has unusual origins. Originally a hybrid of Greek philosophy and early Islamic theology, its technical language consisted of a number of words translated from the Greek. This book studies how Islamic philosophers of the ninth century AD, such as al-Kindi, al-Farabi and Ibn Sina, developed an indigenous set of terms and concepts. Their Books of Definition influenced the revision of the Arabic language to incorporate these new fields of knowledge. Books of Definition in Islamic Philosophy: The Limits of Words uses the work of these philosophers as a basis from which a comparison with their Greek precedents is enabled. The book presents a framework for incorporating an Islamic and historically contextualised philosophy into a continuum of world philosophers. At the core of this framework is Ibn Sina's Kitab al-hudud which the author has translated into English and situates it in its correct geopolitical framework. In establishing a historical and literary context for the writing and circulation of Ibn Sina's definitions, the book breaks new ground in the integration of Islamic philosophy within a general history of philosophies. This fascinating and comprehensive study will be of interest to scholars and postgraduate students of Islamic Philosophy. |