Mehdi Aminrazavi - An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia, Vol. 4

An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia

Previously published volumes of An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia:

Volume 1: From Zoroaster to Umar Khayym

Volume 2: Ismaili Thought in the Classical Age

Volume 3: Philosophical Theology in the Middle Ages and Beyond

The Institute of Ismaili Studies

The Institute of Ismaili Studies was established in 1977 with the object of promoting scholarship and learning on Islam, in the historical as well as contemporary contexts, and a better understanding of its relationship with other societies and faiths.

The Institutes programmes encourage a perspective which is not confined to the theological and religious heritage of Islam, but seeks to explore the relationship of religious ideas to broader dimensions of society and culture. The programmes thus encourage an interdisciplinary approach to the materials of Islamic history and thought. Particular attention is also given to issues of modernity that arise as Muslims seek to relate their heritage to the contemporary situation.

Within the Islamic tradition, the Institutes programmes promote research on those areas which have, to date, received relatively little attention from scholars. These include the intellectual and literary expressions of Shiism in general, and Ismailism in particular.

In the context of Islamic societies, the Institutes programmes are informed by the full range and diversity of cultures in which Islam is practised today, from the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Africa to the industrialized societies of the West, thus taking into consideration the variety of contexts which shape the ideals, beliefs and practices of the faith.

These objectives are realized through concrete programmes and activities organized and implemented by various departments of the Institute. The Institute also collaborates periodically, on a programme-specific basis, with other institutions of learning in the United Kingdom and abroad.

The Institutes academic publications fall into a number of interrelated categories:

1 . Occasional papers or essays addressing broad themes of the relationship between religion and society, with special reference to Islam.

2 . Monographs exploring specific aspects of Islamic faith and culture, or the contributions of individual Muslim thinkers or writers.

3 . Editions or translations of significant primary or secondary texts.

4 . Translations of poetic or literary texts which illustrate the rich heritage of spiritual, devotional and symbolic expressions in Muslim history.

5 . Works on Ismaili history and thought, and the relationship of the Ismailis to other traditions, communities and schools of thought in Islam.

6 . Proceedings of conferences and seminars sponsored by the Institute.

7 . Bibliographical works and catalogues which document manuscripts, printed texts and other source materials.

This book falls into category two listed above.

In facilitating these and other publications, the Institutes sole aim is to encourage original research and analysis of relevant issues. While every effort is made to ensure that the publications are of a high academic standard, there is naturally bound to be a diversity of views, ideas and interpretations. As such, the opinions expressed in these publications must be understood as belonging to their authors alone.

First, I wonder about thought,

what is it that is called thinking?

Thinking is going from the false towards the true,

seeing in the particular the absolute universal.

This is a long and arduous path, let it go,

and like Moses, cast away in an instant thy staff.

Hail, many a fool there is who seeks the shining sun

with the light of a candle in the middle of the desert.

Mamd Shabistar

Contents

Ghazzl, Ab mid Muammad. Mishkt al-anwr, tr. David Buchman as The Niche of Lights. Provo, UT, 1998.

Ghazzl, Ab mid Muammad. al-Rislat al-laduniyyah, tr. Margaret Smith, in JRAS (1938).

Jm, Abd al-Ramn. al-Durrah al-fkhirah, tr. Nicholar Heer, together with glosses and the commentary of Abd al-Ghafr Lr, as The Precious Pearl. New York, NY, 1979.

Kshn, Afal al-Dn (Bb Afal). Muannaft, tr. William C. Chittick in The Heart of Islamic Philosophy: The Quest for Self-Knowledge in the Teachings of Afal al-Dn Kshn. Oxford and New York, 2001.

Suhraward, Shihb al-Dn. ikmat al-ishrq, tr. John Walbridge and Hossein Ziai as The Philosophy of Illumination. Provo, UT, 1999.

s, Nar al-Dn. Rislah andar qismat-i mawjdt, tr. Parviz Morewedge as The Metaphysics of s: On the Division of Existents. New York, NY, 1992.

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