Islamic Thought In The Dialogue Of Cultures

Islamic thought is the most beautiful result of a multicultural dialogue. Islamic culture became a bridge between antiquity, Iranian scholars, Syriac and Arabic Christians and the Latin Middle Ages. Its richness of ideas, its plurality of values can contribute to the requirements of modern plurality. The monograph aims at a historical and bibliographical survey of the qurʾānic and rational world-view of early Islam, of the period of translations from Greek into Syriac and Arabic, and of the impact of Islamic thought on the Latin Middle Ages. Critical reflexions of Muslim scholars stimulated new scientific ideas and make us aware of the contribution of Islam to humanity.

The central theme of the book is Islamʹs past, present and future dialogues with other cultures and civilizations. Islam has made a positive and major contribution to the development of the idea of a universal human civilization and to the enrichment of global human culture through its constructive civilizational engagement with the rest of the world. The author argues that, on the basis of its past achievements, Islam has both the necessary sense of civilizational mission and sufficient spiritual and intellectual means to conduct a world-wide conversation not only with its sister religions in the Abrahamic family, namely Judaism and Christianity but also with Far Eastern religions like Confucianism, Buddhism and even Shintoism in the pursuit of a truly universal civilization and a global ethics based on shared spiritual, moral and ethical values. -- Back cover.

All of the 14 essays gathered here were originally presented as lectures at the 1998 eponymous conference in Sofia, Bulgaria. The contributors are scholars in cultural studies, Islamic studies, theology, cultural anthropology, and philosophy, among others. Their affiliations are not given. The essays are heartfelt on the subject of religious conflict, but uneven in quality. The topics are grouped into three parts: Islamic and Christian traditions, dialogue between cultures, and social identity and political ideals. Published by the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, in Washington D.C. c. Book News Inc.

The interaction between the Muslim World and the West stretches back centuries and although the points of conflict are well known, the exchange of knowledge and cultural awareness cannot be under-estimated and their impact on both civilizations is palpable. Recent historical events have once again focused attention on perceived points of conflict and their associated negative connotations and the resultant criticisms and stereotypes of the West and Islam in general. By reaching back to the past we can sometimes find a way to pursue a more peaceful future, and past examples of cooperation and co-existence between the West and the Muslim World – if the historical context and perspective of these periods is taken into account – can offer a path to mutual understanding and respect. If we take the positive from the past and promote what we hold in common today, then the noise of extremism will always be held at bay. In order to examine these issues and provide an in-depth overview of the relationship between the West and the Muslim World, the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) held a Symposium under the title “Islam and the West: A Civilized Dialogue,” on May 16–17, 2011 in Abu Dhabi, hosting a group of distinguished experts from various academic, political and educational backgrounds in conjunction with the School of Policy and International Affairs at the University of Maine, United States. This book comprises a valuable collection of the papers presented at the Symposium. It identifies how relations between the West and the Muslim World have developed; where mutual interests meet and diverge; and prospects for peaceful co-existence. This book draws on the in-depth knowledge and varied opinions of its contributors who share a wealth of experience in all facets of inter-cultural awareness, European and Islamic history, contemporary international relations, media and education, and includes experts native to the Muslim World and the West as well as those who have chosen both regions as their adoptive homes.

By proposing the Microcosm and Macrocosm analogy for dialogue between Islamic Philosophy and Occidental Phenomenology, the authors of this volume are reviving the perennial positioning of the human condition in the play of forces within and without the human being. This theme has run from Plato through the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Modernity, and has been ignored by contemporaries. It now acquires a new pertinence and striking significance due to the scientific discoveries into the "infinitely small" in life, on the one hand, and the prodigious technological discoveries of the "infinitely great" on the other. Both open up undreamt-of prospects for the continuing conquest of cosmic forces. The human person – thrown into turmoil by the new approaches to life and needing to acquire new habits of mind, having lost security of all beliefs – desperately seeks a new clarification of the Human Condition within the unity of everything-there-is, of cosmic forces, and of his destiny. The dialogue between Islamic Philosophy and phenomenology of life can show the way. Papers by: Gholam-Reza A'awani, Mehdi Aminrazavi, Roza Davari Ardakani, Mohammad Azadpur, Gary Backhaus, Marina Banchetti-Robino, William Chittick, Seyed Mostafa Muhaghghegh Damad, Golamhossein Ebrahimi Dinani, Nader El-Bizri, Kathleen Haney, Salahaddin Khalilov, Sayyid Mohammad Khamenei, Mahmoud Khatami, Mieczyslaw Pawel Migon, Nikolay Milkov, Sachiko Murata, Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka, Daniela Verducci.

Islamic culture, which is still vigorous in spite of its great antiquity, set out to develop side by side a vision of the individual and of the universe, a philosophy and an art of living that can be seen in the impressive remains of its heritage that is an essential part of the whole of humankind's. Halted for a time by adverse historical conditions, this culture none the less found the strength within itself to re-emerge. Its fidelity to its roots does not prevent it from keeping up with the times and participating in contemporary forums and the stirring dialogue of cultures. This series of volumes on the manifold facets of Islamic culture is intended to acquaint a very wide public with such matters as: the theological bases of the faith and principles that constitute the bedrock of the overall structure; the status of the individual and of society in the Islamic world; the expansion of Islam since the Revelation: the Arab, Asian, African and European spheres espousing the new faith and the way in which the rights of converted peoples have been upheld; the vital contribution of Islamic civilization to the adventure of human knowledge in science and technology; the educational and cultural manifestations of Islamic civilization in literature, the visual arts and architecture; finally, Islam today between loyalty to its past and the inescapable conquest of modernity.

This book explores philosophical ethics in Arabo-Islamic thought. Examining the meaning, origin and development of "Divine Command Theory", it underscores the philosophical bases of religious fundamentalism that hinder social development and hamper dialogue between different cultures and nations. Challenging traditional stereotypes of Islam, the book refutes contemporary claims that Islam is a defining case of ethical voluntarism, and that the prominent theory in Islamic ethical thought is Divine Command Theory. The author argues that, in fact, early Arab-Islamic scholars articulated moral theories: theories of value and theories of obligation. She traces the development of Arabo-Islamic ethics from the early Islamic theological and political debates between the Kharijites and the Murji’ites, shedding new light on the moral theory of Abd al-Jabbar al-Mu’tazili and the effects of this moral theory on post-Mu’tazilite ethical thought. Highlighting important aspects in the development of Islamic thought, this book will appeal to students and scholars of Islamic moral thought and ethics, Islamic law, and religious fundamentalism.

Islam recognizes a plurality of religions and asks Muslims to respect other religions. The primary role of interfaith dialogue is to remove misunderstanding and accept difference, the aim being to generate a climate of peaceful coexistence and harmonious social relations. And this is perhaps more needed today than ever before, as mankind is increasingly called upon to exercise tolerance in a markedly volatile world, where living and working together in diversity is fast becoming the norm. Interfaith dialogue is by no means easy, defensive reaction; uncomfortable exchange and an overwhelming desire to avoid a perceived compromise of deeply held principles are some of the pitfalls that can easily cool commitment and the best of endeavors. It is here that this Guide makes an important contribution. The book is designed to guide Muslims who are interested and/or involved in building relations with those of the Jewish and Christian faiths.