Mulla Sadra

Makers of the Muslim World

by Sayeh Meisami

Mulla Sadra (1572�1640) is perhaps the single most important and influential philosopher in the Muslim world. 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 readers interested in uncovering the life and thoughts of a man who represents the climax of intellectual tradition at a crucial point in the history of Islamic civilization.

Genres: Islam

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Nate]

Truly excellent introduction to and short overview of the most important parts of Mulla Sadra's theosophical schema. Also traces his influence through Shi'a scholarship in the years after his passing, including the periods in which his thought was suppressed (e.g. under late Safavid rule in particular). It's challenging reading for people who don't have a background in philosophy, but still the most clear and concise it can be. This is the book I'd recommend to people who want to begin to understand Mulla Sadra; I just wish there was a paperback version, because I think the price tag ($36 USD) will turn people off who aren't already interested in his thought.

[Young Eagle 于高鹰]

伊斯兰哲学也可以“存在先于本质”。由存在的单义性推出世间只有一种存在，事物的区别无非是存在的“浓度”的区别。真主创造的不是时间中的事物，而是事物的时空连续体。变化来自存在本身，外界的因果只是人类的分类。认知即是存在，即是创造，即是在时间中使自身的存在臻于完美。不知道在伊朗会不会有学者尝试将穆拉·萨德拉的哲学与广义相对论联系起来。另一方面，他将苏非派的“完人”概念与柏拉图主义的“哲人”和什叶派伊玛目崇拜结合了起来，具有精英主义统治的气质，在霍梅尼革命后颇受教法学家们的青睐。