Breaking with Athens (eBook)

Alfarabi as Founder

Christopher A. Colmo (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2005
200 Seiten
Lexington Books (Verlag)
978-0-7391-5262-1 (ISBN)

Infos

This unique interpretation of Alfarabi's thought stresses the ways in which the tenth-century Arab philosopher self-consciously broke the metaphysical tradition that began with Plato. By examining Alfarabi's work as more than an extension or continuation of Greek philosophy, Colmo rethinks what medieval philosophy is and challenges almost universal assumptions about the origins of modernity.

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In this controversial new book, Christopher A. Colmo offers a view of the 10th century Arab philosopher Alfarabi that draws attention to a previously unremarked aspect of his philosophic project. Colmo argues that as a philosopher Alfarabi felt compelled to question the philosophic tradition as deeply as he might question religious tradition, and this he did with such power and brilliance that the result was a new philosophic perspective. With unique access to both Islamic and pagan philosophical traditions, Alfarabi took the side of Greek philosophy as representative of human reason and defended its ultimate autonomy. However, Alfarabi went further, moving away from Plato and Aristotle's vision of philosophy as divine to an understanding of philosophy in a way that allowed it to be seen as knowledge and action in the service of human power and happiness. Alfarabi offers a powerful new answer to the question, why philosophy? His subtle defense of and debate with the ancients raises questions of hermeneutics as well as substantive questions of philosophy, politics, and theology. Breaking With Athens sheds new light on Alfarabi's enduring answers to perennial questions, making it essential for students of philosophy, political science, theology, and the history of ideas.

Autor

Christopher A. Colmo is professor of political science at Dominican University.

Inhalt

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Human Action and the Quest for Certainty Chapter 3 The Natural and the Voluntary Chapter 4 Teleology in an Imperfect World Chapter 5 From the Outset Chapter 6 Why Philosophy? Alfarabi's Platonic Comedy Chapter 7 Theory and Practice in the Book of Religion Chapter 8 Alfarabi, Islam, and the Hereafter Chapter 9 Neoplatonic Theology Chapter 10 Alfarabi's Discourse on Method Chapter 11 Conclusion

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 28.3.2005
• Reihe/Serie: Applications of Political Theory
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Erkenntnistheorie / Wissenschaftstheorie
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Östliche Philosophie
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Philosophie Altertum / Antike
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Philosophie ► Philosophie des Mittelalters
• ISBN-10: 0-7391-5262-9 / 0739152629
• ISBN-13: 978-0-7391-5262-1 / 9780739152621