Islamic Philosophy in a Nutshell | Professor Bhawana Mishra

Описание: Bhawana Mishra examines the history of philosophy “without any gaps” and explore the ideas, lives, and historical context of the major philosophers and lesser-known figures of the tradition.

About the Speaker:
Bhawana Mishra was born and raised in the Bay Area and attended college and graduate school. Her master’s thesis was “Toward a Single-Consciousness: Challenging ‘un-American-ness’ of People of Color.” She is most interested in political and legal philosophy, particularly ideas around race, social justice, and equity.

Bhawana Mishra started teaching at Evergreen Valley College in 2011. She believes that Philosophy is something one should not simply learn, but something one should learn to DO because philosophy and ideas can change oneself and the world! Her greatest hope is that students discover their ideas about some of the biggest questions and are willing to evolve. Outside work, she loves being outdoors, traveling, doing logic and math puzzles, reading, and watching British period dramas. She is married to her best friend, with whom she has two children.

Islamic philosophy is a field of study that examines philosophical concepts and inquiries within the context of Islamic tradition and thought, often seeking to reconcile faith and reason. It explores fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, morality, and the divine, drawing from the Quran, Islamic teachings, and various philosophical traditions, including Greek philosophy.

Key Aspects of Islamic Philosophy:

Reconciliation of Faith and Reason:
A core aim of Islamic philosophy is to harmonize religious beliefs with rational inquiry, exploring the relationship between revelation and reason.

Influence of Greek Philosophy:
Islamic philosophers, particularly in the early Islamic Golden Age, engaged with and adapted Greek philosophical concepts, including Aristotelianism and Neoplatonism.

Major Themes and Schools:
Islamic philosophy encompasses a wide range of themes, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and theology, and has seen the emergence of various schools of thought, such as Falsafa (using Aristotelian and Neoplatonic frameworks) and Kalam (dealing with theological debates).

Notable Thinkers:
Key figures in Islamic philosophy include Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Al-Ghazali, Ibn Khaldun, and others who have made significant contributions to philosophical discourse.

Impact and Legacy:
Islamic philosophy has influenced various intellectual traditions, including medieval scholasticism and modern European philosophy, leaving a lasting impact on the development of philosophical thought.

In essence, Islamic philosophy represents a unique intellectual endeavor that blends Islamic beliefs and practices with philosophical inquiry, exploring the nature of reality, knowledge, and the divine through a lens informed by both faith and reason.

This Family Night was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Friday, June 13, 2025.

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