Alfarabi and the Foundation of Islamic Political Philosophy

Alfarabi and the Foundation of Islamic Political Philosophy

By Muhsin Mahdi

Book Description

Through four decades of meticulous scholarship, Muhsin Mahdi unveils the profound intellectual legacy of Alfarabi, a pivotal figure who established the very foundations of Islamic political philosophy. This authoritative work reveals how one brilliant thinker sought to bridge the worlds of revealed religion and classical philosophical tradition, creating a framework that would influence centuries of Islamic thought.

Mahdi's exploration begins by mapping the rich landscape of Islamic philosophy and its historical context, providing readers with essential background for understanding the complex interplay between philosophy, political thought, theology, and jurisprudence in medieval Islam. The author then guides us through Alfarabi's revolutionary concept of "the virtuous city," where philosophy emerges as a distinct discipline, separate from both empirical science and religious doctrine.

Drawing upon previously unknown writings that Mahdi himself brought to light from medieval bibliographical references, this study presents Alfarabi as his contemporaries would have understood him: a visionary philosopher working to establish new foundations for comprehending the relationship between divine revelation and human reason. The work culminates in an examination of Alfarabi's trilogy, the Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle, which serves as the key to unlocking his political philosophy.

For those seeking to understand how spiritual wisdom and practical governance intersect, this scholarly yet accessible work offers profound insights into the intellectual foundations that continue to shape Islamic thought today.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)

📄 Length: 240 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Et Aristote
  • ✓ Explore timeless philosophical wisdom
  • ✓ Explore Filosofia polĂ­tica
  • ✓ Explore Philosophie et religion
  • ✓ Explore Philosophie islamique
  • ✓ Explore Political science, philosophy
  • ✓ Explore Islamische Philosophie
  • ✓ Explore Politische Philosophie

Topics Covered

Et Aristote Philosophy Filosofia polĂ­tica Philosophie et religion Philosophie islamique Political science, philosophy Islamische Philosophie Politische Philosophie Philosophie politique Political science Religion Islam et philosophie Filosofia ĂĄrabe Islamic philosophy Islamitische filosofie Filosofia medieval Islam et politique Droit islamique PensĂŠe politique et sociale Politieke filosofie

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