Description
Book SynopsisMulla Sadra (572–1640) is perhaps the single most important and influential philosopher in the Muslim world in the last four hundred years. The author of over forty works, he sought to bring to life the whole heritage of Islamic thought, from philosophy to mysticism, and create a more flexible and conciliatory approach to the problems which seemed to dissociate reason from faith. In this wide-ranging profile, Sayeh Meisami reaches beyond historical narrative to assess the true impact of the man and his ideas. This thought provoking and comprehensive account is ideal for any philosopher wanting to uncover the life and thoughts of a man who represents the climax of intellectual tradition at a crucial point in the history of Islamic civilization.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
1 THE MAN AND HIS WORK
Life and Works
Mulla Sadra and the School of Isfahan
Transcendental Philosophy
2 THE REALITY AND GRADATION OF BEING
Being and Quiddity
The Ground of Reality
Is Quiddity an Illusion?
Diversity in Unity
Unity in Diversity
3 THE UNITY OF THE KNOWER AND THE KNOWN
Knowledge and Being
The Hierarchy of Knowing
Knowledge by Presence
Knowledge and Realization
4 THE BEGINNING AND THE END
Substantial Motion
The Ground of Motion
Temporal Origination and Eternity
The Soul
The Resurrection
5 GOD AND HIS ATTRIBUTES
Theology in Transcendental Philosophy
The Existence of God
The Oneness of God
The Attributes
Divine Knowledge
Divine Will
Free Will
Prophets, Imams and Awliya
6 THE PHILOSOPHER’S LEGACY
Early Influence: Students and Critics
Mulla Sadra in the Qajar and Pahlavi Periods
After the Islamic Revolution
Outside Iran
Select Bibliography
Index
