Humanism in the Renaissance of Islam

by Joel L. Kraemer

Under the enlightened rule of the Buyid dynasty (945-1055 A.D.) the Islamic world witnessed an unequalled cultural renaissance. This book is an investigation into the nature of the environment in which the cultural transformation took place and into the cultural elite who were its bearers. After an extensive introductory section setting the stage, the book deals with the main schools and circles and with the outstanding individual representatives of this renaissance.
The main expression of this renaissance was a philosophical humanism that embraced the scientific and philosophical heritage of Classical Antiquity as a cultural and educational ideal. Along with this philosophical humanism, a literary humanism was cultivated by litterateurs, poets, and government secretaries. This renaissance was marked by a powerful assertion of individualism in the domains of literary creativity and political action. It thrived in a remarkably cosmopolitan atmosphere -- Baghdad, the center of the 'Abbāsid empire and of Buyid rule.

Genres: History

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1375

Reviews

[Saeed · Rating 5 out of 5]

جوئل کرمر در این کتاب محققانه موضوعی رو مطرح می کنه که هنوز هم (با وجود اهمیت) بهش پرداخته نشده و همچنان در فضای فکری جامعه ما تقریبا ناشناخته است. این موضوع "انسان گرایی" یا همون اومانیسم در تمدن اسلامیه. چیزی که هزار سال پیش در تمدن اسلامی وجود داشته و حدود یک قرن و شاید کمی بیشتر ادامه داشته. جریان الحاد (مثل نفی نبوت توسط محمد بن زکریای رازی)، بسنده کردن به عقل بشری، تاکید بر تجربه و آزمایش و مخالفت با مطلق انگاری و ... از مولفه های این جریان فکریه. رازی، ابوحیان توحیدی، ابوسلیمان سجستانی، ابن راوندی، بیرونی و ... از نمایندگان این جریانند.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 2 out of 5]

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