Mulla Sadra

A timely biography on the single most important and influential philosopher in the Muslim world in the last four hundred yearsMulla Sadra (572 - 1640) is perhaps the single most important and influential philosopher in the Muslim world in the last four hundred years. The author of over forty works, he sought to bring to life the whole heritage of Islamic thought, from philosophy to mysticism, and create a more flexible and conciliatory approach to the problems which seemed to dissociate reason from faith. In this wide-ranging profile, Sayeh Meisami reaches beyond historical narrative to assess the true impact of the man and his ideas. This thought provoking and comprehensive account is ideal for any philosopher wanting to uncover the life and thoughts of a man who represents the climax of intellectual tradition at a crucial point in the history of Islamic civilization.

Acknowledgments1 THE MAN AND HIS WORK Life and Works Mulla Sadra and the School of Isfahan Transcendental Philosophy 2 THE REALITY AND GRADATION OF BEING Being and Quiddity The Ground of Reality Is Quiddity an Illusion? Diversity in Unity Unity in Diversity 3 THE UNITY OF THE KNOWER AND THE KNOWN Knowledge and Being The Hierarchy of Knowing Knowledge by Presence Knowledge and Realization 4 THE BEGINNING AND THE END Substantial Motion The Ground of Motion Temporal Origination and Eternity The Soul The Resurrection 5 GOD AND HIS ATTRIBUTES Theology in Transcendental Philosophy The Existence of God The Oneness of God The Attributes Divine Knowledge Divine Will Free Will Prophets, Imams and Awliya 6 THE PHILOSOPHER'S LEGACY Early Influence: Students and Critics Mulla Sadra in the Qajar and Pahlavi Periods After the Islamic Revolution Outside Iran Select Bibliography Index