Seminar on interpretation of Arabic Philosophical Texts

Teacher(s)

Bonmariage Cécile;

Language

English

Prerequisites

Reading knowledge of Arabic (level Arabe classique II - LGLOR 1663–LGLOR 1664). Notions of history of pre-modern Islamic thought (LFILO 1370 or equivalent). 

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