Alfarabi's Book of Dialectic (Kitab al-Jadal): On the Starting Point of Islamic Philosophy

Alfarabi is widely regarded as the founder of the Islamic philosophical tradition and a leading figure in Aristotelian logic and Platonic political science. His commentary on Aristotle's Topics is the first complete English translation, and David M. DiPasquale argues that Alfarabi's understanding of dialectic is key to his recovery of an authentic tradition of Greek science. The Book of Dialectic unites Alfarabi's logical and political writings, offering new ways to interpret his influence.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 362 pages
\n Publication date: 15 July 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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Alfarabi, widely recognized as the founder of the Islamic philosophical tradition, holds an exceptional position as the single greatest philosophical authority after Aristotle in the medieval Islamic, Jewish, and Christian communities. His profound contributions to Aristotelian logic and Platonic political science have solidified his status as a leading figure in these fields. The present edition offers the first complete English translation of Alfarabi's commentary on Aristotle's Topics, known as Alfarabi's Book of Dialectic or Kitāb al-Jadal. This edition is a result of extensive research, drawing upon the most comprehensive Arabic manuscript sources available. In his book, David M. DiPasquale argues that Alfarabi's understanding of the Socratic art of dialectic serves as a crucial lens through which to comprehend his remarkable endeavor to revive an authentic tradition of Greek science on the brink of extinction. DiPasquale further suggests that Alfarabi's Book of Dialectic stands out as unique, as it seamlessly integrates Alfarabi's logical and political writings, presenting new avenues for interpreting his profound influence.

Alfarabi's philosophical legacy continues to resonate across diverse intellectual traditions, making him a pivotal figure in the history of philosophy. His profound insights into the nature of knowledge, ethics, and politics have shaped the development of Islamic thought and influenced countless scholars and thinkers throughout the centuries. Through his comprehensive translation of Alfarabi's Book of Dialectic, readers are granted access to a wealth of wisdom and insights that have the power to deepen our understanding of the human condition and inspire us to explore new horizons of thought and knowledge.

\n Weight: 528g\n
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108405430\n \n