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 鈥榩hilosophy鈥 is understood to in its widest sense to include theological debate, philosophical Sufism and philosophical hermeneutics (迟补示飞颈濒). 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 办补濒腻尘From Arabic, lit. 鈥楽peech, discussion, argument鈥, 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士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-Ghazz膩l墨 and Fakhr al-D墨n R膩z墨 who feature prominently here. So far as Shi士i theology is concerned it was from the beginning more philosophically inclined than the earlier schools of Sunni 办补濒腻尘 and its development took place almost exclusively within Persia. Selections from Shi士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: Mu鈥榯azilism
Introduction: S. H. Nasr
Early Mu士tazilism:
Introduction: S.H. Nasr
1. Abu鈥檒-Hudhayl 士All膩f
Introduction: S.H. Nasr
Selections
Majid Fakhry
2. Ibr膩h墨m Na岷撫簱膩m:
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
Selections
Majid Fakhry
Later Mu士tazilism:
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
3. Q膩岣嵞 士Abd al-Jabb膩r
补濒-惭耻驳丑苍墨 (鈥淸The Book] That Makes Others Superfluous鈥)
Daniel C. Peterson
Part II: Later Sunni Theological Thought
Introduction S. H. Nasr
Early Mu士tazilism:
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
1. Abu鈥檒-Hudhayl 士All膩f:
Introduction: S.H. Nasr
Selections
Majid Fakhry
2. Ibr膩h墨m Na岷撫簱膩m:
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
Selections
Majid Fakhry
Later Mu士tazilism:
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
3. Q膩岣嵞 士Abd al-Jabb膩r
补濒-惭耻驳丑苍墨 (鈥淸The Book] That Makes Others Superfluous鈥)
Daniel C. Peterson
Part III: Shi鈥ite Philosophical Theology
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
1. Na峁Ｄ玶 al-D墨n 峁玸墨
Introduction: S.H. Nasr
Tajr墨d al-i士tiq膩d (鈥淭he Book of Catharsis鈥)
Majid Fakhry
2. 士All膩mah 岣ll墨
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
Shar岣 al-tajr墨d (鈥淐ommentary on the Book of Catharsis鈥)
Majid Fakhry
3. 士Abd al-Razz膩q L膩h墨j墨
Introduction, S.H. Nasr
Gawhar-i mur膩d (鈥淭he Pearl of the Desired鈥)
Mohammad Faghfoori
厂丑补飞腻谤颈辩 (鈥淥谤颈别苍迟补迟颈辞苍蝉鈥)
Maria Dakake
4. 岣san ibn 士Abd al-Razz膩q L膩h墨j墨
Majm奴士a-yi ras膩示il f膩rs墨
Mohammad Faghfoori
5. Mull膩 Mahd墨 Nar膩q墨
Introduction: M. Aminrazavi
Qurrat al-士uy奴n (鈥淭he Delight of the Eyes鈥)
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.