TEHRAN - Chad Meister, professor of philosophy and theology at Bethel College, says many of the insights and arguments of Islamic philosophers are still relevant and that “their rich heritage on human thought is incalculable.”

“It is also important to note that, just as one stream of Islamic philosophy has been influenced by ancient Greek philosophy, Islamic philosophy had much influence on medieval western thought,” Meister tells the Tehran Times in an exclusive interview.

Following is the text of interview with Meister:

Q: What are the main differences between Islamic and Western philosophy?

A: While there are many different approaches to philosophy among western philosophers, and with Islamic philosophers as well, there are significant similarities and differences between philosophy as generally practiced in the West and Islamic philosophy as it has been generally practiced. One similarity is that they both contain streams of thought that can be traced back to the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, more about which I will comment below.  One of the central differences is that Islamic philosophy is closely connected with Islam itself.  To practice Islamic philosophy is to think deeply, rationally, and coherently about fundamental matters of the world and Ultimate Reality in ways that take into consideration the teachings and beliefs and practices of Islam and the general style and approach of philosophy that has been developed within the overall structure of Islamic culture.  As such, one would not need to be a Muslim to practice Islamic philosophy.  But to practice it well, one would certainly need to be well-versed in the history, cultures, and teachings of Islam.

Another important difference between western and Islamic philosophy as they are generally practiced is that western philosophy has largely separated itself from theology. While there is a subfield of western philosophy called “philosophical theology” which examines theological ideas, in Islamic philosophy generally there has been no such separation.  To practice Islamic philosophy is, to a great extent, also to practice Islamic theology.
 
Q: Is there a link between Islamic thought and Greek philosophy, especially the Aristotelian thought, and the divine base of Islamic philosophy?

A: There was a development of Aristotelian thought that began early on in Islamic philosophy utilizing Aristotle’s logic and metaphysics, among other elements.  As Aristotle’s metaphysical works discuss the nature of God and even provide an argument for the existence of God, the Aristotelian stream in Islamic philosophy (referred to as the Peripatetic school) did utilize some of his ideas about the divine. However, the influence of Aristotelian thought on Islamic philosophy has often been overstated.
 
It is also important to note that, just as one stream of Islamic philosophy has been influenced by ancient Greek philosophy, Islamic philosophy had much influence on medieval western thought. Thus, it was through the Islamic translations of the works of Aristotle that such Christian philosophical luminaries as Albert the Great and Thomas Aquinas were introduced to his works.  It was also the Islamic commentaries on Aristotle that these Christian thinkers drew upon and were influenced by as they incorporated various Greek ideas into Christian theology and doctrine.  For this and other reasons, the dissemination of Islamic philosophy into the West had a major influence on the trajectory and cultural rebirth of Renaissance Europe.
 
Some have argued that the differences between philosophy and religion are so stark that the notion of “Islamic philosophy” is an oxymoron. One reason for this is that whereas a religion, such as Islam or Christianity, contains certain fundamental assumptions that cannot be denied without denying the religion itself (such as that God/Allah exists), it is claimed that philosophy is an open and non-dogmatic enterprise which includes no assumptions. Yet this characterization is too simplistic, for there are certain basic presuppositions within the discipline of philosophy itself, such as that one should use rational and coherent principles in attempting to assess arguments and claims. Furthermore, a religious philosopher may well maintain that philosophical arguments and ideas can assist in understanding the deep truths of the religion and can even provide support for the religion and rebuttals to those views which go against it. Some of the great Islamic philosophers have utilized philosophy for just such purposes.

Q: While Enlightenment attempted to remove metaphysics from sacred knowledge, why do some philosophical schools try to link the sacred and rational principles?

A: The term “Enlightenment” has many meanings, but one that is commonly used refers to the idea that the appropriate use of reason will provide the answers to all of the core questions of life and the world. Thus, on this view, there is no need for divine revelation to advance human knowledge, even with respect to how we should live. But in some philosophical schools in western and Islamic philosophy, it is argued that all knowledge, sacred or otherwise, is grounded in rational principles. Ibn Rushd (known in the West as Averroes), for example, argued that the deepest and most profound truths—sacred and non-sacred—should be analyzed by such principles and that by utilizing this approach one could attain ultimate truth. He also maintained that the Qur’an contains the highest truth, and that philosophy supports rather than contradicts divine revelation.
 
Q: Why do we need to study the works of Islamic philosophers?

A: I think it is crucial for both Islamic and non-Islamic thinkers to study Islamic philosophers. One reason is that some of the greatest minds of all time have been Islamic philosophers. To name just a few that come to mind, there is al-Farabi and his incredible works on logic, theory of knowledge, and political philosophy; al-Ghazali and his insights on the divine and his inspiring spiritual pilgrimage from intellectual doubt to deep religious conviction; and Ibn Rushd and his formidable arguments that philosophy is not the enemy of religion and his utilization of the works of Aristotle which have influenced both western and Islamic thought even up through our own day. Secondly, each of these philosophers are critical thinkers whose writings cause the reader to think deeply about the subjects they address and about the importance of reflective thinking itself.  By carefully studying their works, and engaging in the kinds of philosophical discourse that they advance, the level of intellectual discussion will undoubtedly ascend. This is needed today in Islamic and western cultures, particularly in those places where serious intellectual discussion is often replaced with sound bites and reckless blathering.
 
In summary, Islamic philosophy is one of the most momentous philosophical traditions in the world, and some of the greatest minds of human history have been Islamic philosophers. I have noted three very important ones above. Many of their insights and arguments are still relevant, and their rich heritage on human thought is incalculable. It would behoove us all—whatever our cultural background, religious beliefs, or geographical place on the planet—to seriously study these works and the great value of Islamic thought they provide for us today.


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Islamic philosophy is one of the most momentous philosophical traditions in the world, and some of the greatest minds of human history have been Islamic philosophers.


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Chad Meister says Islamic philosophy had much influence on medieval western thought