The World of Image in Islamic Philosophy: Ibn Sina, Suhrawardi, Shahrazuri and Beyond

L. W. C. van Lit

Published by Edinburgh University Press 2017

The World of Image in Islamic Philosophy

Ibn Sina, Suhrawardi, Shahrazuri and Beyond

L. W. C. van Lit

In the series Edinburgh Studies in Islamic Apocalypticism and Eschatology

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781474415866

Overview
Contents

About this book

Traces the medieval Islamic notion of a world of image from its conception until today

One of the most controversial issues that divided Islamic philosophers and theologians during the Middle Ages was whether human beings would have a spiritual or bodily existence after death. The idea of a world of image was conceived as a solution, suggesting that there exists a world of non-physical (imagined) bodies, beyond our earthly existence. This world may be reached in sleep, in meditation or after death.

From the embryonic conception by Ibn Sina, to the radical rethinking by Suhrawardi and Shahrazuri into a sophisticated system, L. W. C. van Lit unravels the history of this idea. Using a distant reading approach for measuring the transmission, he further shows how the idea remained relevant for Muslim thinkers through the centuries, up until today.

Key Features

Sets the record straight for the provenance and development of the idea of a world of image
Reconsiders the extent of Suhrawardi's innovation and his importance for the development of philosophy in the Islamic world
Shows the surprising trajectory of the development and reception of his idea
Gives an insight to the nature of commentary writing in premodern Islamic discourse

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
List of Figures and Tables Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	viii
1 Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2 From Ibn Sīnā to Suhrawardī: The Contested Idea of Using Imagination after Death Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	20
3 Suhrawardī’s Recognition of an Additional Realm Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	48
4 Shahrazūrī on Suhrawardī’s Suspended Images Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	79
5 Suhrawardī’s Lukewarm Commentators Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	113
6 The Reception of Shahrazūrī’s World of Image up until the Present Day Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	142
7 Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	176
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	189
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	237
Appendix A: Edited Passages Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	256
Appendix B: List of Persons Mentioned in this Study Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	267
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	273

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 288
Illustrations
- Other: 2 B/W illustrations 10 B/W tables
Keywords: Islamic Studies

eBook

Published: April 18, 2017
ISBN: 9781474415866