Seminar on interpretation of Arabic Philosophical Texts

Teacher(s)

Bonmariage Cécile;

Language

English

Prerequisites

Reading knowledge of Arabic is advisable but not absolutely necessary. It is sufficient if students have had a course in the history of Arabic philosophy, or a background level of knowledge of Arab philosophy which is equivalent.

Main themes

The course will consist of a critical reading of texts authored by thinkers from the Arab-Islamic cultural sphere, and will situate them in their particular context, indicating their importance for the history of thought. The aim of the course is to help the participants develop the skills and understanding that are required to read critically texts from the Arabo-Islamic philosophical tradition.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to analyze in a critical manner philosophical texts produced in the Arab-Islamic cultural sphere.

Content

The course consists of a close reading of texts pertaining to the Arabic philosophical tradition with a focus on pre-modern texts (read in Arabic). Arabic philosophical tradition is here taken in a broad sense, including falsafa, kalam, Ishraqi thought and Akbari thought. Topics change each year and are decided in concertation with the participants during the first class. Previous topics include: A philosophers' paradise  | The muqaddima of Qaysari's Sharh al-Fusus | Commentaries on the Hikmat al-Ishraq by Suhrawardi | Ilahiyyat of the Shifa' | Unity and multiplicity: Sadra's metaphysics in the Shawahid and Asfar

Teaching methods

Activities outside the class: preparation of the texts read in class; personal research to acquire and/or increase the student's familiarity with the tools and resources used in the study of Arabic philosophical texts.
Activities in class: close reading of texts, followed by a general discussion.

Evaluation methods

Participation in class and final oral exam

Online resources

See Moodle

Faculty or entity

EFIL