Exploring Islamic Philosophy
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Islamic philosophy is one of the longest standing and richest of non-Western philosophical traditions. To date, we have a number of fine introductions to Islamic philosophy and its historical dimensions, yet we lack a well-rounded, straightforward account of its major issues, themes, and ideas. This introductory text explains what is unique about Islamic philosophy by focusing on five main dimensions of Islamic philosophical theory and praxis as developed over the past thousand years. The book begins with some basic definitions of the subject matter and then moves into a careful but light presentation of Islamic philosophy’s explication of the nature of existence and the cosmos, proofs for the existence of God, and the nature of knowledge and perception. Then follows an exposition of the mind-body problem in Islamic philosophical contexts, which paves the way for a discussion of the cultivation of virtue and the pursuit of beauty as envisioned by Islamic philosophers, and finally Islamic philosophical concepts of death, dying, and the afterlife. The conclusion suggests some ways in which Islamic philosophical ideas can and do inform contemporary debates in religion, philosophy, science, and even popular culture.
Published: Feb 1, 2026
Series
| Section | Chapter | Authors |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | ||
| Working Definitions | Sayeh Meisami | |
| Chapter 1 | ||
| Essence and Existence | Sayeh Meisami | |
| Chapter 2 | ||
| Knowledge and Perceiving | Sayeh Meisami | |
| Chapter 3 | ||
| Soul and Body | Sayeh Meisami | |
| Chapter 4 | ||
| Virtue and Practice | Sayeh Meisami | |
| Chapter 5 | ||
| Dying and Immortality | Sayeh Meisami | |
| Conclusion | ||
| Islamic Philosophy Today | Sayeh Meisami | |
| End Matter | ||
| Further Reading and Bibliography | Sayeh Meisami | |
Reviews
Exploring Islamic Philosophy is a rare achievement. Lucid, original, and informed, this book will be a centerpiece of introductions to Islamic thought for many years to come. Professor Meisami creates a conversation that includes the most salient philosophers in the Islamic world, focusing on key terms and debates. Elegant and non-technical discussions of philosophical differences make the book a joy to read and an excellent teaching tool, without sacrificing profundity.
Cyrus Ali Zargar, Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professor, University of Central Florida
Exploring Islamic Philosophy is the most inclusive volume of its kind. It covers philosophical debate across the Islamic world, encompassing major thinkers of the Classical and post-Classical periods, as well as key figures from philosophical Sufism and rational theology. It offers remarkably clear accounts of core themes in theoretical philosophy, including reality, knowledge, the self, God and the cosmos. Its treatment of practical philosophy extends beyond familiar themes of human flourishing, freedom and responsibility, and the ideal state to issues of contemporary concern, including gender and the environment. It focuses on philosophical analysis, but also provides important and helpful information about the social context of debate. Accessible and engaging, the book is a suitable companion text for undergraduate courses in Islamic philosophy.
Kara Richardson, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Syracuse University