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The tradition of philosophy in the Persian-speaking world is extraordinarily rich, creative and diverse. This anthology, which is divided into five volumes, aims to communicate something of that richness and diversity. The term philosophy is understood to in its widest sense to include theological debate, philosophical Sufism and philosophical hermeneutics (岳温幣敬朝鉛The elucidation of the inner or esoteric meaning, b畊in , from the literal wording or apparent meaning of a text, ritual or religious prescription.). Extending over a period of more than two millennia, and showcasing translations by well-established scholars, the anthology offers full bibliographical references throughout. For anyone interested in exploring, in all their varied manifestations, the fascinating philosophical traditions of Persia, such a wide-ranging and ambitious work will be an indispensable resource. Volume 2 covers five centuries of Ismaili philosophy, and includes extracts from outstanding Ismaili works including the 檎温壊偵幣庄鉛 Ikhwn al-畊afa幣 (Treatises of the Brethren of Purity) and the philosophical odes of N畊ir Khusraw. It is of great significance that, in the early centuries of Islam, philosophers were influenced by Pythagorean and Hermetic ideas, which are usually associated with Shi平i thought in general and Ismailism in particular. Ismaili philosophy at this time was able to integrate strands of Greco-Alexandrian thought such as Hermeticism and Neo-Pythagoreanism, as well as aspects of Mazdaeism and Manichaeism. It also showed marked interest in Neo-platonism.
List of Reprinted Works
Note on Transliteration
List of Contributors
General Introduction, S. H. Nasr
- Umm al-kitb
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
The Mother of Books (from Umm al-kitb) - Jbir ibn 畍ayyn
Introduction, S. H. Nasr
The Book of Stones (from Kitb al-a畍jr) - Ab笛 Ya平q笛b Sijistn朝
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
Kashf al-ma畍j笛b: Introduction to the Translation, Hermann Landolt
Unveiling of the Hidden (from Kashf al-ma畍j笛b)
The Book of Wellsprings (from Kitb al-yanb朝平) - Ab笛 畍つtim Rz朝
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
A平lm al-nubuwwah (Science of Prophecy) - 畍am朝d al-D朝n Kirmn朝
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
Repose of the Intellect (from R畍at al-平aql)
The Brilliant Epistle (from al-Rislat al-durriyyah) - 檎温壊偵幣庄鉛 Ikhwn al-畊af幣From Arabic, lit. Brethren of Purity, a group of learned scholars who were based in Basra and Baghdad around the last quarter of the t10th century CE. It is more… (Treatises of The Brethren of Purity)
Introduction, S. H. Nasr
Microcosm and Macrocosm
A Theory on Numbers
Man and the Animals - al-Mu幣ayyad fil-D朝n Sh朝rz朝
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
Seven Lectures(from 悪鞄顎畊b温) - N畊ir-i Khusraw
Introduction, S. H. Nasr
The Sum of the Two Wisdoms (from Kitb Jmi平 al-畍ikmatayn)
Knowledge and Liberation (from Gushyish wa rahyish)
Philosophical Poetry (from the 禽朝敬偵稼) - Na畊Ｄr al-D朝n 畊笛s朝
Introduction, M. Aminrazavi
Contemplation and Action (from Sayr wa sul笛k)
The Garden of Submission, or Notions (from Raw畍at al-tasl朝mor Ta畊awwurt)
Select Bibliography
Index
Seyyed Hossein Nasr is University Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University. He is the author of over 300 articles and thirty books, and has lectured widely on Islamic philosophy.
Mehdi Aminrazavi is the author and editor of numerous books and articles, and is currently Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of Mary Washington, where he directs the Middle Eastern Studies Program.