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Epistles of the Brethren of Purity: The Case of the Animals versus Man Before the King of the Jinn: An Arabic critical edition and English translation of Epistle 22 Bilingual Edition
Author(s): Lenn E. Goodman (Translator), Richard McGregor (Translator)
- Publisher: OUP Oxford
- Publication Date: 18 Mar. 2010
- Edition: Bilingual
- Language: English
- Print length: 696 pages
- ISBN-10: 9780199580163
- ISBN-13: 0199580162
Book Description
The Ikhwan al-Safa (Brethren of Purity), the anonymous adepts of a tenth-century esoteric fraternity based in Basra and Baghdad, hold an eminent position in the history of science and philosophy in Islam due to the wide reception and assimilation of their monumental encyclopaedia, the Rasa’il Ikhwan al-Safa (Epistles of the Brethren of Purity). This compendium contains fifty-two epistles offering synoptic accounts of the classical sciences and philosophies of the age; divided into four classificatory parts, it treats themes in mathematics, logic, natural philosophy, psychology, metaphysics, and theology, in addition to didactic fables. The Rasa’il constitutes a paradigmatic legacy in the canonization of philosophy and the sciences in mediaeval Islamic civilization, as well as having shown a permeating influence in Western culture.
The present volume is the first of this definitive series consisting of the very first critical edition of the Rasa’ il in its original Arabic, with a complete, fully annotated English translation. This epistle, The Case of the Animals versus Man Before the King of the Jinn (Epistle 22), prepared by Professors Lenn E. Goodman and Richard McGregor, is arguably the best known, on account of its prominent ecological fable which casts the exploited and oppressed animals pursuing a case against mankind. Perhaps yet more relevant in modern times, the Ikhwan demonstrate the arrogance of man’s claim to superiority, in contrast to the animals’ pious understanding of their respective roles within nature. The fable complements and expands upon the short exposition on zoology featured at the beginning of the epistle.
The present volume is the first of this definitive series consisting of the very first critical edition of the Rasa’ il in its original Arabic, with a complete, fully annotated English translation. This epistle, The Case of the Animals versus Man Before the King of the Jinn (Epistle 22), prepared by Professors Lenn E. Goodman and Richard McGregor, is arguably the best known, on account of its prominent ecological fable which casts the exploited and oppressed animals pursuing a case against mankind. Perhaps yet more relevant in modern times, the Ikhwan demonstrate the arrogance of man’s claim to superiority, in contrast to the animals’ pious understanding of their respective roles within nature. The fable complements and expands upon the short exposition on zoology featured at the beginning of the epistle.
Editorial Reviews
Review
The value of this beautifully produced book is enhanced considerably by the very full and erudite annotation that accompanies [it]. ― Geert Jan Van Gelder, Times Literary Supplement
The publications that are planned within this project will no doubt rekindle the interest of scholars and students of Islam in Islam’s rich cultural, educational and historical legacy … The work of the Ikhwan al-Safa, like many other works that make up the classical Muslim educational thought, need to be seriously studied and reflected upon. This new publication project contributes immensely towards realizing this educational aim. ―
Abdullah Sahin, Muslim World Book Review – about Epistles of the Brethren of Purity seriesAbout the Author
Lenn E. Goodman is Professor of Philosophy and Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Richard McGregor is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Islamic Studies at Vanderbilt University.
