Selected Pillars of Islamic Philosophy: A Guide for Students - Softcover

Inati, Shams C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1405196149 ISBN 13: 9781405196147

Publisher: Wiley, 2026

Synopsis

A unified narrative of medieval Islamic philosophy grounded in primary sources

Students approaching Islamic philosophy for the first time need a text that integrates historical context with sustained philosophical analysis. Selected Pillars of Islamic Philosophy: A Guide for Students provides a continuous narrative tracing the development of Islamic philosophy through the thirteenth century, covering six foundational thinkers: al-Kindi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Bajja, Ibn Tufayl, and Ibn Rushd.

Drawing on primary Arabic sources, the book examines major themes including God, the soul, knowledge, good and evil, and the afterlife. It situates philosophical discussion within the rise of Kalam and the translation movement, treating both Eastern and Western medieval Islamic traditions. Fresh interpretations of specific topics, such as al-Farabi's conception of the afterlife, distinguish the analysis.

The book also provides:

• Summaries and definitions of key terms that orient readers within complex theological and philosophical debates across the tradition
• Integrated background on Islam, theology, and the translation movement connecting intellectual context to each philosopher's arguments and conclusions
• Clear signposting of debates and disagreements among the six thinkers, helping readers trace the evolution of core ideas
• A coherent student-friendly format designed to prepare readers for more advanced engagement with primary philosophical sources
• Coverage of both Eastern and Western medieval Islamic philosophical traditions within a single continuous narrative framework

Designed for undergraduate and graduate courses in Islamic philosophy, medieval philosophy, philosophy of religion, and Middle Eastern intellectual history, this book prepares students for advanced work with primary sources while serving instructors seeking a concise, unified teaching text and offering scholars in the field a valuable resource for their own research and study.

About this title

About the Author

Shams C. Inati is a Professor of Islamic Philosophy at Villanova University, specializing in Ibn Sina (Avicenna), metaphysics, and the problem of evil. She earned her BA in philosophy and history from the American University of Beirut and completed her Ph.D. in Islamic philosophy at SUNY Buffalo under George Hourani. Dr. Inati has written nine books, including Ibn Sina and Mysticism, The Problem of Evil, and Ibn Sina’s Physics and Metaphysics, along with numerous articles. She is a Fulbright Fellow and recipient of several prestigious grants, including the Andrew Mellon Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant, and a U.S. Department of Defense Grant. She is also a poet, songwriter, public speaker, human rights advocate, and dedicated mentor to her students.

From the Back Cover

A unified narrative of medieval Islamic philosophy grounded in primary Arabic sources

Selected Pillars of Islamic Philosophy: A Guide for Students traces the development of Islamic philosophy through the thirteenth century by way of six foundational figures: al-Kindi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Bajja, Ibn Tufayl, and Ibn Rushd. Unlike fragmented essay collections or dense specialist volumes, this book provides a continuous narrative that integrates the religious, theological, and intellectual contexts shaping each thinker’s work, including the rise of kalam and the translation movement.

Drawing largely on primary Arabic sources, the book examines major themes―God, the soul, knowledge, good and evil, and the afterlife―across both Eastern and Western medieval Islamic traditions. Pedagogical features such as chapter summaries, definitions of key terms, and clear signposting of debates support sustained engagement with the material. The text also offers fresh interpretations of specific topics, including al-Farabi’s conception of the afterlife, providing new perspectives alongside established scholarly discussion.

Designed for undergraduate and graduate courses in Islamic philosophy, medieval philosophy, philosophy of religion, and comparative philosophy, this book prepares students for advanced work with primary sources. Instructors in philosophy, religious studies, theology, Islamic studies, and medieval studies will find it suited as a core teaching text across BA through doctoral curricula.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1405196149
• ISBN 13: 9781405196147
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 352