Arabic Philosophy
Master
In London
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
London
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Duration
1 Year
Students who complete the course should have developed an understanding of the following issues in classical Arabic philosophy: The relation between philosophy and religion. The attitude taken towards Greek philosophical texts, especially Aristotle, by philosophers writing in Arabic. The problem of divine attributes. The eternity of the world. Philosophy of mind (i.e. theory of soul and intellect). Free will. Developments in Arabic Jewish and Christian philosophy, as well as Islamic.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
Reviews
Course programme
MA Arabic Philosophy
Course Aims
To give students an understanding of the historical development and philosophical interest of philosophy produced in the Arabic-speaking world, focusing on the time period from al-Kindi (9th century) to Averroes (12th century), which one might call the “classical” period of Arabic thought.
Seminars
The course will consist of 20 seminars, 10 in Term 1 and 10 in Term 2. Each seminar will last for one and a half hours, and combine lecture with discussions devoted to a close reading of a text (in English translation).
Readings
Many of the assigned primary texts are in J. McGinnis and D.C. Reisman (ed. and trans.), Classical Arabic Philosophy: an Anthology of Sources (Indianapolis: 2007). Referred to below as ‘Hackett reader.' I suggest buying this book for the purposes of the course.
Course Objectives
Students who complete the course should have developed an understanding of the following issues in classical Arabic philosophy:
- The relation between philosophy and religion;
- The attitude taken towards Greek philosophical texts, especially Aristotle, by philosophers writing in Arabic;
- The problem of divine attributes;
- The eternity of the world;
- Philosophy of mind (i.e. theory of soul and intellect);
- Free will;
- Developments in Arabic Jewish and Christian philosophy, as well as Islamic;
- Students will also gain an awareness of some developments in the post-classical era, though this will not be the main focus of the course.
Arabic Philosophy