Al-Farabi Flashcards
Al Ghazali
- Critiqued philosophers (work = the “confusion of Thinkers”)
- According to him thinkers like Aristotle and Plato are sinful and what they think go against Islamic beliefs.
1. They deny resurrection
2. They argue that God’s knowledge stops at universal concepts, not people or events.
3. They belief that the world is eternal and was not created by God. - He claims that this views are not only theological but also political.
Political theology (associated to Schmitt)
the way intellectual + theological ideas shape political life
- political concepts have been influence by religion
- political theology appears in societies where religion played a major role in shaping understanding of reality.
Introduction to early political history of Islam (Mohammed)
- Belief that Mohammed was a real person
- Hadith = the stories and events Mohammed had during his life that people collected throughout his life.
- Combination of Quran and Hadith = Sharia (way of thinking, laws etc).
- Important commitment is that he’s the last prophet
Rushidan Caliphate: 632-661
After Mohammed dies, his 4 successors conquer the rich part of Roman Empire.
- Abu Bakr, Umar, Utthman Ibn Affan, Ali (ali was supposed to directly follow Mohammed but during a council meeting they elected Abu Bakr).
Al Farabi
- Blends Plato and Aristotle’s ideas
Main beliefs:
1. Religion pluralism: different religions can express same truths in different ways
2. Religions simply complex truths for the people to understand.
Religion in Al Farabi (3 views)
- Functionalist: religion serves a specific purpose within a community, anything the legislator/ ruler says is religion (he controls it).
- Political view: if the ruler is virtuous, it will aim for the flouring and happiness of everyone beneath him.
- Tied to civic religion: because religion welcomes all aspects of life (not limited to spiritual stuff but also actions), it’s tied to civil religion.
Al Farabi: best polity (democratic state characteristics)
Best virtuous state = aimed at flourishing and making all citizens happy though religion.
Same like Plato: the state has a natural hierarchy where everyone serves a purpose.
- division of labour
In this state, false things must be eradicated.
Prophecy and Religion (concept)
Different religions can represent the same truths differently:
- Al Farabi
Democratic state (characteristics)
Religious and hierarchical
Focus should be on flourishing ALL the citizens
Unlike Plato, Al-Farabi sees the potential of a democratic polity
- One of the dangers: does not accept philosopher-kings, which is dangerous for those who believe their could be.
Platonic feminism (concept)
- Innate differences between both sexes
But claims that the same obligations you give to leading men should be offered to leading women.
Aims of civic religion
- Flourish all citizens
- Mixed with social practices and actions
