Islamic Philosophy
- Arts
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 110 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces students to Islamic philosophy, exploring its definition, scope, and relationship with religion. It examines pre-Islamic Arabian thought and the influence of Greek philosophy on Muslim thinkers. The course delves into the sources and development of Islamic philosophy, including the Qur'an and Hadith. It also covers key concepts such as epistemology, free will, and eschatology, while highlighting notable Muslim philosophers and their contributions to both Eastern and Western thought.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ISL361, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ISL361 · Unit 1: DEFINITION OF TERM, PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
"Religion: Relation of human beings to God or the gods or to whatever they consider sacred or, in some cases, merely supernatural."(Britannica Concise Encyclopedia (online, 2010).
What you should be able to do
- Identify key figures in Islamic philosophy
- Explain the relationship between Islamic philosophy and religion
- Compare Islamic philosophy with Western philosophy
- Analyze the influence of Greek thought on Islamic philosophy
- Understand the main concepts of Islamic epistemology and metaphysics
What it prepares you for
- Religious Studies Teacher
- Islamic Scholar
- Philosopher
- Theologian
- Education
- Religious Organizations
- Research Institutions
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Sources and Development of Islamic Philosophy
Unit 4: Ash'arism
Advanced calculus integration techniques require strong mathematical foundation
- Module 3: Notable Muslim Philosophers of the East
Unit 5: Al- Ghazzālī
Complex philosophical arguments require careful analysis and critical thinking.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introductory
Unit 1: Definition of Term, Philosophy and Religion · 2 hours
Understand the etymology of 'philosophy' and its Arabic equivalents. Differentiate between ordinary thinkers and philosophers. Analyze definitions of religion and their alignment with Islamic views.
- Week 2Module 1: Introductory
Unit 2: Pre- Islamic Arabian thought · 2 hours
Describe pre-Islamic Arabian beliefs in gods, souls, and predestination. Evaluate pre-Islamic thought using intellect. Discuss moral issues among pre-Islamic Arabs.
- Week 3Module 1: Introductory
Unit 3: The Greek philosophy transmitted to the Muslims · 2 hours
Explain the transmission of Greek philosophy to Muslims. Itemize activities of Bayt al-Hikman. Discuss contributions of Harun Rashid, Al-Mansur, and al-Ma'mun.
- Week 4Module 2: Sources and Development of Islamic Philosophy
Unit 1: The Sources · 2 hours
Identify sources of Islamic philosophy. Analyze Qur'anic verses and Prophetic traditions that inspired philosophy. Give an account of the development of Muslim philosophy.
- Week 5Module 2: Sources and Development of Islamic Philosophy
Unit 2: Philosophical teachings of the Qur'ān · 2 hours
Extract Qur'anic verses on which Islamic philosophy was laid. Describe Islamic views on Ultimate Reality, God, and the World. Discuss Islamic teachings on soul and epistemology.
- Week 6Module 2: Sources and Development of Islamic Philosophy
Unit 3: Mu'tazilism · 2 hours
Describe the origin of Mutazilism and its meaning. Discuss the basis of Mutazilite doctrines. Highlight basic principles of Mutazilism.
- Week 7Module 2: Sources and Development of Islamic Philosophy
Unit 4: Ash'arism · 2 hours
Define Ash'arism. Trace the origin of the Ash'arites movement. Enumerate and critically discuss the fundamental doctrines of the Ash'arites.
- Week 8Module 3: Notable Muslim Philosophers of the East
Unit 1: Al- Kindī · 2 hours
Give an account of the life and education of Al-Kindi. Explain the characteristics and chief elements of Al-Kindi's philosophy. Describe how Al-Kindi brought harmony between religion and philosophy.
- Week 9Module 3: Notable Muslim Philosophers of the East
Unit 2: Al- Fārābī · 2 hours
Give an account of the life and education of Al-Farabi. Explain the characteristics and chief elements of Al-Farabi's philosophy. Highlight the major themes in the philosophical works of Al-Farabi.
- Week 10Module 3: Notable Muslim Philosophers of the East
Unit 3: Ibn Sina · 2 hours
Give a brief life history of Ibn Sina. Give an account of Ibn Sina's philosophy. Discuss areas of agreement and disagreement with non-Muslim philosophers.
- Week 11Module 3: Notable Muslim Philosophers of the East
Unit 4: Ar-Rāzī · 2 hours
Describe the life of Abu Bakr Al-Razi. Discuss Al-Razi's areas of agreement and doctrinal difference with non-Muslim philosophers. State some of the scholastic works of Al-Razi.
- Week 12Module 3: Notable Muslim Philosophers of the East
Unit 5: Al- Ghazzālī · 2 hours
Describe the life of al-Ghazzali and his works. Analyse al-Ghazzali's condemnation of the metaphysics of the philosophers. Expatiate on al-Ghazzali's concept of causality.
- Week 13Module 4: Muslim Philosophers of the West
Unit 1: Ibn Bājjah, Ibn Tufayl · 2 hours
Describe the life of Ibn Bajjah and Ibn Tufayl. Give an account of their contribution to Muslim philosophy. Discuss their areas of agreement and doctrinal differences with non-Muslim philosophers.
Unit 2: Ibn Rushd · 2 hours
Discuss the life of Ibn Rushd. Highlight the areas of differences between al-Ghazzali and Ibn Rushd. State some of the major contribution of Ibn Rushd to philosophy.
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking key philosophers and their ideas
- Focus on understanding the core tenets of each philosophical school
- Practice essay questions comparing and contrasting different viewpoints
- Review key Qur'anic verses and their philosophical interpretations
- Allocate time for thorough revision of all units
Questions students ask about this course
What is ISL361 about?
This course introduces students to Islamic philosophy, exploring its definition, scope, and relationship with religion. It examines pre-Islamic Arabian thought and the influence of Greek philosophy on Muslim thinkers. The course delves into the sources and development of Islamic philosophy, including the Qur'an and Hadith. It also covers key concepts such as epistemology, free will, and eschatology, while highlighting notable Muslim philosophers and their contributions to both Eastern and Western thought.
How many units does ISL361 have?
ISL361, Islamic Philosophy, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 110 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ISL361?
ISL361 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Arts.
Is ISL361 hard?
ISL361 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does ISL361 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is ISL361 assessed?
ISL361 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ISL361?
Religious Studies Teacher, Islamic Scholar, Philosopher and Theologian.