Philosophy in the Islamic World

Module description

From the 7th century onward, while Europe was undergoing the medieval period, the Islamic world was an advanced civilization which spread from modern-day Spain to central Asia. Some of the great figures of the history of philosophy were Muslims – like Avicenna and Averroes – or lived in the Islamic world, like the great Jewish philosopher Maimonides. This module covers the highpoints of philosophy in the Islamic world, beginning with the reception of Greek thought into Arabic and exploring how Greek ideas were woven into the intellectual framework of revealed religion. Figures covered include al-Kindi, al-Razi, al-Farabi, Avicenna, and Averroes; some attention is also paid to the non-Aristotelian reaction to Avicenna by al-Ghazali and others, and to the indigenous Islamic theological tradition of kalam. Philosophical ideas to be dealt with include proofs of God’s existence; the problem of divine attributes; the relation of philosophy to revelation; freedom; the nature of the intellect; and the eternity of the world. 

Assessment details

Summative assessment: 1 x 3,000 word essay (100%)

Formative assessment: 1 x 2,500-word essay.

Educational aims & objectives

Students will gain:

• An understanding of how Greek ideas sparked the philosophical tradition in the Islamic world.
• An understanding of how these ideas were transformed to make them suitable for believers in Islam and other faiths.
• Some idea of how members of the Jewish and Christian faiths contributed to the philosophical tradition in Islam.
• An appreciation of the main thinkers and ideas of the tradition of philosophy in Arabic.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, the students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 6 module and in particular will be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to read texts in the history of philosophy with sympathy and care.
• The ability to assess and criticize views put forward in such texts, without resorting to anachronism.
• Sensitivity to the relationship between religious belief and philosophical inquiry.

Teaching pattern

One one-hour weekly lecture and one one-hour weekly seminar over ten week.

Module description disclaimer

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Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.