The Principles of Epistemology in Islamic Philosophy: Knowledge by Presence

by Mehdi Ha'iri Yazdi, Seyyed Hossein Nasr (Foreword by)

Overview

This book aims to present to western philosophers the most important theme in Islamic epistemology: knowledge by presence, the knowledge that results from immediate and intuitive awarenes, advocated by the author as a viable modern philosophical position. Treating the subject in a thoroughly philosophical manner that is comprehensible to contemporary analytical philosophers, he remains faithful to the Islamic tradition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780791409480
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	04/27/1992
Series:	SUNY series in Islam
Pages:	246
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

A Professor at Tehran University, Mehdi Ha'iri Yazdi is one of the leading Muslim philosophers. He has a deep and wide understanding of Medieval Islamic Philosophy as well as knowledge of modern analytical techniques and methods. He is the author of Kavushha-yeh 'Aql-i Naz and of Hiram-i Hasti.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Introduction

1. Knowledge by Presence: A History

2. Immanent Object and Transitive Object

3. Knowledge by Presence and Knowledge by Correspondence

4. An Empirical Dimension of Knowledge by Presence

4. The Prime Mode of Knowledge by Presence

6. An Appendix to the Theory of Knowledge by Presence

7. An Expanded Theory of Knowledge by Presence: Mysticism in General

8. Mysticism in the System of Emanation

9. Mystical Unity

10. The Language of Mysticism and Metamysticism

Appendix

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

"Ha'iri does not fall back on value-laden spiritual arguments. He carefully demonstrates to the trained analytical philosopher that presence-knowledge is a viable and meaningful epistemological mode. The book is by a philosopher written for philosophers. In addition to Muslim philosophers, the book also refers to Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, St. Thomas, Russell, Cunningham, and other western thinkers." — Hossein Ziai, UCLA

"The book is written by an eminent authority on Islamic Philosophy who is equally well versed in European philosophy. The book is a significant contribution to both Islamic philosophy and to comparative philosophy." — Hamid Dabashi, Harvard University

"This is the first serious work we have in English written by a Muslim philosopher as Islamic philosophy. It offers important contributions to contemporary philosophical concerns." — William C. Chittick, State University of New York, Stony Brook

From the Publisher