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by L. W. C. Van Lit (Author)
One of the most controversial issues that divided Islamic philosophers and theologians during the Middle Ages was whether human beings would have a spiritual or bodily existence after death. The idea of a world of image was conceived as a solution, suggesting that there exists a world of non-physical (imagined) bodies, beyond our earthly existence. This world may be reached in sleep, in meditation or after death.From the embryonic conception by Ibn Sina, to the radical rethinking by Suhrawardi and Shahrazuri into a sophisticated system, L. W. C. van Lit unravels the history of this idea. Using a distant reading approach for measuring the transmission, he further shows how the idea remained relevant for Muslim thinkers through the centuries, up until today.
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Traces the medieval Islamic notion of a world of image from its conception until today One of the most controversial issues that divided Islamic philosophers and theologians for many centuries was whether human beings would have a spiritual or bodily existence after death. Suhrawardi, a pivotal figure in the history of Islamic philosophy, made a crucial contribution to this debate, with his idea of a world of image. This is a world beyond our earthly existence, to be reached in sleep, meditation, or after death. This unlikely history is unravelled by L. W. C. van Lit using an innovative approach, looking at a curious idea concerning eschatology proposed by Ibn Sina. He explores the ways in which this idea - refuted by most medieval thinkers - was used by Suhrawardi and Shahrazuri to construct a sophisticated system of thought which has progressed through the centuries to take its place within mainstream theological texts. The world of image remains a relevant notion for Muslim thinkers today. Key Features - Sets the record straight for the provenance and development of the idea of a world of image - Reconsiders the extent of Suhrawardi's innovation and his importance for the development of philosophy in the Islamic world - Shows the surprising trajectory of the development and reception of his idea - Gives an insight to the nature of commentary writing in premodern Islamic discourse L. W. C. van Lit is a Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University. Cover image: (c) L. W. C. van Lit and Jonathan Williams Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-1585-9 Barcode
Author Biography
L. W. C. van Lit is a Lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University.
