The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Islamic Philosophy

There has been a long tradition of interest in philosophy in the Islamic world, and it is the aim of this comprehrensive reference work to represent the lives of some of the major thinkers within this tradition. The notion of philosophy has been interpreted broadly to include a large number of intellectuals who were interested in conceptual issues that either directly relate to philosophy or form part of the background of Islamic philosophy as a whole. Included are details about the lives of significant legal thinkers, theologians, political thinkers and even geographers where their lives are relevant indicators of the progress of philosophy in the Islamic world.

An international group of authors has contributed clear, accessible entries written in non-technical language, and no previous understanding of either philosophy or religion is presupposed. The biographical entries include all the major thinkers of Islamic philosophy since the foundation of the faith, as well as minor but significant figures, many of which have not previously been profiled or described in English. Every major school of thought, from classical falasifa to Sufi mysticism, is represented, and entries range across time from the early years of the faith to the modern period.

The Dictionary represents a landmark achievement in the understanding of Islamic philosophy, at a time when such understanding is needed as never before. This is an indispensable reference work for students of Islamic and comparative philosophy.