Philosophy Reader from the Circle of Miskawayh, A
Book Description
This scholarly work opens a remarkable window into the philosophical landscape of the eleventh-century Islamic world, offering modern readers access to a previously unpublished manuscript that has remained hidden for nearly a millennium. Elvira Wakelnig presents the first complete edition of a unique philosophy reader that was compiled anonymously during the time of the renowned philosopher Miskawayh.
The manuscript reveals how ancient wisdom traditions flowed between cultures, preserving excerpts from Greek philosophical masters like Aristotle, Plotinus, and Galen alongside works by influential Arabic thinkers including Farabi and Miskawayh himself. What makes this collection particularly valuable is its preservation of philosophical fragments that have been lost to time, including portions of Galen's personal reflections and commentaries on Aristotelian metaphysics.
For contemporary seekers exploring the foundations of philosophical thought, this volume demonstrates how timeless questions about existence, ethics, and human nature transcended cultural boundaries. The compilation shows which philosophical works were considered essential knowledge for serious thinkers of that era, offering insight into how wisdom was transmitted and preserved across generations.
Wakelnig provides both the original text and an accessible English translation, accompanied by detailed commentary that illuminates the historical and philosophical significance of each passage. This work serves as both a scholarly resource and a bridge connecting modern readers to the rich philosophical heritage that shaped medieval Islamic intellectual life.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~14 hours)
📄 Length: 517 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Philosophie
- ✓ Explore Bodleian Library
- ✓ Explore Manuscript (Bodleian Library)
- ✓ Understand metaphysical principles
- ✓ Explore timeless philosophical wisdom
- ✓ Explore Islamische Philosophie
- ✓ Explore Rezeption
- ✓ Explore Physiology, early works to 1800
