A Brief Introduction to Arabic Philosophy

I'm an American so if you mention something about or ask me about Western philosophers I would probably be familiar with what or who you are talking about and might even be able to answer the question asked. However, if you ask me about Arab philosophers you will get nothing but a blank stare. That's the reaction you would have gotten before I wrote this article. Now if you ask me I might be able to engage in a short conversation with you.

I don't know why we never studied Arab philosophers in school. After all, wasn't it the Arabs who invented Algebra? They're smart people. Surely we could learn from them. Or … maybe they are just like all of the philosophers in Western civilization. They theorize and philosophize and don't really come up with any answers to anything. Maybe my teachers thought: Eh! You study one philosopher, you've studied them all. LOL.

Anyway, one of my New Year Resolutions is to try to learn new things that I have no familiarity with. I knew nothing about Arab philosophers. But now I know a little bit and I will share it with you.

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When you tackle a topic like this the best place to start your research is in a reputable and reliable encyclopedia like the Encyclopedia Brittanica. A perusal of several EB articles revealed the following eye-opening facts:

~ Islamic philosophy and Arabic philosophy, are phrases that are used interchangeably and the beginning of the philosophical movements in the Islamic world dates back to the 9th century.

~ Arabic philosophy combined the Western philosophies of Aristotelianism and Neoplatonism with other ideas introduced through Islam.

~ Al-Kindī is honored as being the first Muslim philosopher. He was known as “the philosopher of the Arabs”. How did he know so much about Western philosophy? Because he was appointed by the Abbasid Caliphs to work alongside his contemporaries, and translate Greek philosophical and scientific works into Arabic.

~ An important distinction must be made between Islamic philosophy versus Islamic theology (or religion). That distinction is that … it is very similar to Western philosophy in that the philosophers sort of try to eliminate God or Divine Intervention from the picture and rely on non-religious secular human reasoning and science to explain TRUTH and the UNIVERSE.

~ In addition to Al-Kindī, others who made significant contributions to Arabic philosophy in the medieval Islamic world include: al-Farabi and Avicenna (Persia); Averroës (Andalusian Spain); and Ibn Khaldūn (Egypt).

~ Curiously, Christian and Jewish thinkers also participated in and influenced the Islamic or Arabic philosophical movements.

~ The first period from the 9th to the 12th (or 14th) century is referred to as classical or early Islamic philosophy. After that time, interest in the movement declined due to lack of supporters. However, there were and are still those who pursued a course of philosophical study to this day.

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The articles in the Encyclopedia Brittanica provided a great introduction to Islamic/Arabic philosophy. 

Additionally, I would like to recommend one more article published via Encyclopedia.com which is a much easier read. Arabian Philosophy | Encyclopedia.com.


This is my stopping point.

If you know more about this topic, please share.

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Religions of Man: Quick Intro to Baha'ism

The word “extant” means: still in existence, i. e. not lost in the course of time.

This post presents a timeline of the major extant religions and culminates with a quick introduction to the last faith that began in the 19th century.  Major extant religions emerged in the following order:

* 3rd millennium B.C.: Hinduism (India) and Shintoism (Japan);

* 13th century B.C.: Judaism (Palestine);

* 7th century B.C.: Zoroastrianism (Persia);

* 6th century B.C.: Taoism and Confucianism (China); Jainism and Buddhism (India, with roots in Hinduism);

* 1st century A.D.: Christianity (Jerusalem, with roots in Judaism);

* 7th century A.D.: Islam (Arabia, with roots in Judaism);

* 16th century A.D.: Sikhism (India, with roots in Hinduism);

* 19th century A.D.: Baha’ism (Persia, with roots in Islam).

Baha’ism is monotheistic.  It is believed that the doctrines of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity can be reconciled. This movement has never been accepted by Muslims, Jews, or Christians, nevertheless the community boasts an estimated 5 million converts, there are temples and shrines in India, the United States, the Middle East and other parts of the world. The YouTube video is a documentary about three Bahai believers.

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Have you ever heard of the Bahá’í Faith?

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Additional Reference:

World Religions: The Great Faiths Explored & Explained

Race Reconciliation: A Christian Perspective

When addressing the topic of “race reconciliation” we have to go back to Genesis. When God created Adam and made Eve from Adam's rib, God made of all men one flesh – it is our physical reality that Eve is the mother of us all and spiritual reality that God is the Father of us all.

If disciples follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, they will understand that Jesus has made of all men ONE. He taught us how to find our way through our own man-made confusion and return to the way it was “from the beginning”.

Somewhere along the timeline of humanity as mankind moved away from God … because at one time ALL MEN KNEW the One True God ... mankind began to divide themselves into something called 'race'.

Now people say that “race reconciliation” is needed. (DUH???)

But Jesus solved this PROBLEM THAT WE CREATED FOR OURSELVES by teaching us that WE ARE ALL ONE.

The only time the Bible describes a person's “color” is if it is a description of the person's physical traits. NOT THEIR RACE!!

The Bible refers to mankind BY NATIONS. Why? Because when God confused the languages of man, it eventually led to the establishment of various nations.

You know … He is God. Why didn't He separate mankind by skin color?

“Racism” is a SIN. It was born out of a CORRUPT THOUGHT, a man's desire to have power and control over his fellow man … the CONQUERED and the CONQUEROR ... and carried out by those who choose EVIL instead of OBEDIENCE TO GOD.

Instead accepting the FACT … the TRUTH … that God only created male and female, that Eve is the mother of all living, and that through the sons of the Noah, the NATIONS of the earth were overspread … instead, they made up “races” for the one human race. People began to have confidence in their flesh which is being carnal-minded. Christians are not in the flesh. We in the Spirit.

Mankind moved away from God and now we have a “problem” (?), a “social issue” or a “matter” (?) … we have a SIN we are wrestling with called RACISM.

Jesus came to RECONCILE MAN TO GOD and He accomplished His mission.

Standing on the Word of God, I boldly declare that Jesus already accomplished “race reconciliation”. If we want to get technical, during the time Jesus walked the earth, the “racial division” or “racial strife” which required “race reconciliation” was the separation between Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. The DIVISION that required RECONCILIATION resulted from the differences in their BELIEF IN THE ONE TRUE GOD. NOT THEIR SKIN COLOR!!!

Jesus came to reconcile ALL MEN TO THE ONE TRUE GOD. That's the only “reconciliation” that matters. The reconciliation of the human race to their Creator.

Gangsta Quotes … Uh! Question Mark?

Came across a Twitter account that shares quotes by notorious gangsters.  Such quotes always interest me.  They call themselves wise guys.  I am curious about their wisdom.  I scanned tweets that dated all the way back to 2012.  I found some surprises in the tweet stream.  Quotes one would not expect to find filed under “GangstaQuotes”.  Sharing them below.  It was like finding hidden treasure in plain view.  The quotes need no additional explanation.

#1 Frederick Douglas Quote?

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” ~Frederick Douglass, abolitionist & author http://t.co/pPTvX5Ix

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) February 25, 2012

#2 Julius Caesar Quote?

"Cowards die many times before their actual deaths." ~Julius Caesar, Roman Dictator (100BCE - 44BCE) pic.twitter.com/xp427jINQE

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) December 12, 2015

#3 Sun Tzu Quote?

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory."~Sun Tzu, strategist and author of "The Art of War." pic.twitter.com/ruA2tErIJt

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) August 16, 2015

#4 Martin Luther King Quote?

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968) pic.twitter.com/VWOjm9414n

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) January 19, 2015

#5 You Don’t Need to be Gangster to Get Arrested.

September 1958. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is arrested in Montgomery, Alabama. He was 27 years old. pic.twitter.com/1U9e6o1PLE

— Gangsta Quotes (@GANGSTAQUOTES) January 16, 2014

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Content first published at Virily.com.

Religion and Philosophy: Questions and Answers: TO LIE OR NOT TO LIE

This question was asked in a forum. 

TO LIE OR NOT TO LIE

by ebanreb » 

Sometimes we are in a situation where we are confronted with so many problems which lead to a point to make a decision whether to lie or not to lie.

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This was my response.

A lie is willful and deliberate intent to deceive. That's how someone explained or defined a LIE to me. They told me to use that as my guide. Another guide that I use? Jesus called Satan the father of lies. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”   (John 8:44) I don't know much, but I do know if there is deception or deceit involved in something you're doing, then it's not good. If it's not good then it must be bad or evil. Also, I don't like the idea of being one of Satan's children. So the answer is NO.

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A lie is even far more grave and serious than a fairy tale like Pinocchio would lead you to believe. I appreciated the question as it gave me a chance for some and serious thought and reflection.

How would you have answered this question?

: Would you be interested in joining ForumCoin and responding to more questions like this?  Every once in a while we like to put on our philosopher's hat and discuss the meaning of life.  However, the mood at the site is not always so somber and serious.  Sometimes we play games, chit chat with each other about miscellaneous things, share ideas and tips on how to make money online, and just hang out!  It's a social site that pays. 

Come join us at ForumCoin.

  

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