A1 Journal article (refereed)
Post-Classical Islamic Philosophy – a Contradiction in Terms? (2020)

Kaukua, J. (2020). Post-Classical Islamic Philosophy – a Contradiction in Terms?. Nazariyat : Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences, 6(2), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.12658/Nazariyat.6.2.M0110en

JYU authors or editors

Kaukua, Jari

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kaukua, Jari

Journal or series: Nazariyat : Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences

ISSN: 2148-8088

eISSN: 2547-9415

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 6

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 1-21

Publisher: Scientific Studies Association (ILEM)

Publication country: Turkey

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12658/Nazariyat.6.2.M0110en

Persistent website address: https://www.nazariyat.org/en/issues/cilt-6-sayi-2/post-klasik-islam-felsefesi-celiskili-bir-i-fade-mi

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/74618

Abstract

This paper engages critically with Dimitri Gutas’ recent characterization of post-classical Islamic philosophy and theology as a form of paraphilosophy or intellectual activity that merely simulates philosophy. I argue that this view arises from a misguided understanding of the concept of philosophy that should provide the standard for its historiography. In order to avoid a number of problematic consequences, such as gaps in historical continuity or a disconnection from what we understand by philosophy today, we must take our cue from a sufficiently uncontroversial contemporary concept of philosophy instead of any particular historical concept, such as the Peripatetic amalgam of metaphysics, theory of science, and the empirical sciences. Such a strategy provides a sound basis for the inclusion of post-classical thinkers, as well as many classical thinkers who are not falāsifa, in the history of Islamic philosophy without vicious circularity or loss of a normative concept of philosophy.

Keywords: philosophy; Islam; concepts (notions); history; theology; metaphysics; philosophical theology