An early manuscript of al-Ghazali's work on the philosophy of Avicenna

Ghazali, Muhammed ibn Muhammed at-Tusi al-. Maqasid al-Falasifa [The Aims of the Philosophers].

$43,490.00

An early manuscript of al-Ghazali's first major work on the philosophy of Ibn Sina (Avicenna), "The Aims of the Philosophers". The work was known for explaining Ibn Sina's philosophy in a clear, concise manner; it proved incredibly influential in the Muslim world and was instrumental in establishing the philosophy of Ibn Sina in Christendom. The author followed this with his famous "The Incoherence of the Philosophers", which disputed several approaches of Ibn Sina's school.

Al-Ghazali (1058-1111) was one of the greatest figures of the Golden Age of Islam; he gained fame for his legal theories, philosophy, and works on logic, and has been called the single most influential Muslim after the prophet Muhammad, and a "Mujaddid", or Renewer of the Faith. His works were so highly acclaimed by his contemporaries that he was awarded the honorific title "Proof of Islam" ("Hujjat al-Islam").

Like so many of al-Ghazali's important writings, "The Aims of the Philosophers" was translated into Latin and thoroughly incorporated into the basis of the philosophical canon of Christian Europe. The early date and speed at which this translation was completed are especially remarkable; it was translated into Latin almost immediately after it was composed in the 12th century, and played a large role in the 12th century Renaissance, which was triggered by an influx of Arabic texts.