The Author's Voice

Ash'arism Encounters Avicennism: Sayf Al-Dīn Al-Āmidī (d. 631/1233) on Creation

The Institute for Advanced Study, in partnership with Gorgias Press, is delighted to announce a new online lecture program, The Author's Voice.

The fourth and final lecture will be given by Laura Hassan, Associate Faculty Member, Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. 

Competing theories about the origins of the cosmos have always entailed distinctive and often antithetical conceptions of who, or what, caused it. Sayf al-Dīn al-Āmidī developed his doctrine of creation at a particularly poignant moment in Islamic intellectual history, in which the traditions of theology (kalām) and Hellenised philosophy (falsafa) were forced into an encounter which would permanently alter the theological landscape. In this talk, taking impetus from the case of al-Āmidī, I consider the options available for intellectuals who, like him, encounter a system of thought which is both rationally and theologically compelling, but which also threatens to undermine entrenched convictions. 

This is a free Zoom lecture. Register in advance hereAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

Hosted by Sabine Schmidtke (School of Historical Studies, IAS) and George A. Kiraz (School of Historical Studies, IAS and Editor-in-Chief, Gorgias Press) in cooperation with Angelos Chaniotis (School of Historical Studies, IAS).

For more information, please contact ds@ias.edu.

Date & Time

December 09, 2021 | 12:00pm

Location

Online