Middle Eastern Studies 397G - ST- God, Creation, The Soul

Is the universe eternal or did it have a beginning in time? Is matter made up of atoms or is it continuous? Is logic a universal language or is it limited by its cultural circumstances? How does the body carry the soul? These are just some of the questions posed and answered by Muslims, Christians, and Jews writing philosophy in Arabic throughout the medieval Islamic world. This course introduces students to the central texts, themes, and authors of the Arabic philosophical tradition as well as the translation and reception of Greek philosophical writings that lie at its start. The course is taught in English and all readings will be presented in English translation.