The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Philosophy

The Oxford Handbook of Islamic Philosophy serves as a comprehensive reference work covering the development of Islamic philosophical thought from the 8th century to modern times. The volume brings together contributions from international scholars who examine key figures, movements, and concepts within this tradition. The handbook is structured chronologically and geographically, mapping the evolution of Islamic philosophy across different regions including the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Each chapter focuses on specific philosophers, schools of thought, or philosophical problems while placing them in their historical and intellectual contexts. The work includes analysis of both well-known figures like Al-Farabi and Avicenna as well as lesser-studied philosophers and movements that shaped Islamic intellectual history. Technical discussions of logic, metaphysics, ethics, and other philosophical domains are presented alongside examinations of how Islamic philosophy interacted with other traditions. This collection demonstrates the richness and complexity of Islamic philosophical discourse while highlighting its continued relevance to contemporary philosophical debates. Through careful analysis of primary sources and historical contexts, the handbook reveals how Islamic philosophy represents a distinct tradition that both drew from and contributed to global philosophical development.

Cannot provide a comprehensive review summary due to limited online reader reviews of this academic text. The book appears to be primarily used by scholars and specialists, with minimal public reviews on mainstream platforms. What readers noted: - Thorough coverage of Islamic philosophy across different time periods - Strong focus on later traditions and developments beyond classical period - Inclusion of lesser-known philosophers and movements - High-quality scholarly contributions Main criticisms: - Very technical language makes it difficult for general readers - High price point limits accessibility - Some chapters assume significant background knowledge Available Ratings: Goodreads: No rating (insufficient reviews) Amazon: No rating (insufficient reviews) The specialized nature of this academic handbook means most discussion occurs in scholarly reviews and academic journals rather than consumer review platforms. The primary audience appears to be researchers and graduate students in Islamic studies and philosophy.

The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy by Peter Adamson, Richard C. Taylor This reference work covers the transmission of Greek philosophy into the Islamic world and traces its development through key medieval Islamic philosophers.

History of Islamic Philosophy by Henry Corbin This text examines the metaphysical and mystical traditions within Islamic philosophical thought from its origins through the medieval period.

An Introduction to Classical Islamic Philosophy by Oliver Leaman The book presents core philosophical problems in Islamic thought and shows their connection to Greek, Jewish, and Christian philosophical traditions.

Islamic Philosophy from Its Origin to the Present by Seyyed Hossein Nasr This work traces Islamic philosophical traditions from their early roots through contemporary times while exploring connections between philosophy and religious doctrine.

The History of Islamic Political Thought by Antony Black The text examines how Islamic philosophers approached questions of governance, authority, and political theory from the Prophet's time through the modern era.

🔹 The book represents one of the most comprehensive modern efforts to trace Islamic philosophy from its origins through the 20th century, breaking from the common pattern of focusing mainly on the classical period. 🔹 Co-editor Sabine Schmidtke is one of the first Western scholars to extensively study and translate post-classical Islamic philosophical texts from Yemen, opening up previously unexplored areas of Islamic intellectual history. 🔹 Islamic philosophy continued to thrive in Iran well after its supposed decline in the 12th century, with the Isfahan School producing major philosophical works until the 17th century and beyond. 🔹 The volume reveals how Islamic philosophers engaged with Chinese and Indian thought through translated texts, particularly in areas of logic and mathematics, long before sustained contact with European philosophy. 🔹 Although published by Oxford University Press in 2017, the handbook took over a decade to complete due to the challenges of finding experts who could read philosophical manuscripts in multiple languages including Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman Turkish.