Islam for Beginners
The Eastern Roman Empire was known by another name because of the capital Constantinople (aka Byzantium).
What is the Byzantine Empire?
Philosopher of the Arabs
Who is al-Kindi?
This "Preeminent Master" was also a medical doctor in the royal palace giving him access to the royal library.
Who is Avicenna?
He was a distinguished religious scholar and teacher from what is now northwestern Iran who sough knowledge of the true nature of things, studied and reworked the work of Aristotle.
Who is Al-Ghazali?
Pagan Simplicius and Christian John Philoponus carried on Greek traditions in Philosophy including texts from these great Greek thinkers.
Who are Socrates, Plato and Aristotle?
Like Aristotle, al-Kindi believed in a separate, purely immaterial intellect that is both from God and from human souls.
What is Active Intellect?
Greek word for matter (hyle) and form (morphe) meaning a complex substance, combination of matter and form.
What is hylomorphism?
Aristotle's Four Causes
What are formal, material, efficient and final causes?
Islam emerged when, according to Muslim belief, God revealed the Quran to this final prophet.
Who is Muhammad?
The "Second Master" was the first great systematic philosopher of the Islamic Golden Age.
Who is al-Farabi?
Avicenna has proof that there is a necessary existent, a thing that is necessary in itself. Similar to St. Aquinas' cosmological proof. Who is a necessary existent?
Who is God?
This Jewish philosopher believed the highest perfection Possible for humans is to know and Love God. His most influential writing, Guide for the Perplexed, this was for those who have a tough time between the Scriptures and Science.
Who is Maimonides (Moses Ben Maimon)?
After Muhammad's death, four caliphs or "successors", In 750, this caliphate unified people of many cultures and religions which allowed the arts, sciences and philosophy to flouish.
Who are the Abbasids?
The moon, sun, planets and stars.
What are celestial spheres?
Similar to Descartes, cogito ergo sum, this hypothetical person is deprived of all senses, yet knows he exists.
Who is the "Flying Man"?
This territory covers modern day Spain and Portugal. Jewish thinker, Maimonides lives here before fleeing with his family to Morocco rather than convert to Islam.
What is al-Andalus?
Central to Islam, "God is One, absolute unity."
What is the principle of tawhid?
This Egyptian astronomer created the Ptolemaic model which could accurately predict celestial movement, with earth as an unmoving center.
Who is Ptolemy?
Resembling scientific experimentation, this experience of one thing following another over many repetitions creating the same result with few or explainable exceptions.
What is methodic experience?
Greatest of the prophets, received the 10 Commandments.
Who is Moses?