Seminar on interpretation of Arabic Philosophical Texts

lfilo2300  2024-2025  Louvain-la-Neuve

Seminar on interpretation of Arabic Philosophical Texts
5.00 credits
30.0 h
Q2

This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2024-2025
Teacher(s)
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


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Ancient Languages and Literatures: Oriental Studies

Master [120] in History

Master [60] in Ancient Languages and Literatures : Oriental Studies

Master [120] in Sciences of Religions

Master [120] in Philosophy

Certificat universitaire en sciences des religions