Plato’s Republic in the Islamic Context
Title Details

338 Pages

22.8 x 15.2 cm

Series: Rochester Studies in Medieval Political Thought

Series Vol. Number: 3

Imprint: University of Rochester Press

Plato's Republic in the Islamic Context

New Perspectives on Averroes's Commentary

Edited by Alexander Orwin

  • Description
  • Contents
  • Author
The first collection of essays devoted to the Arabic philosopher Averroes's brilliant Commentary on Plato's "Republic," which survived the medieval period only in Hebrew and Latin translations.

The first collection of essays devoted entirely to the medieval philosopher Averroes's Commentary on Plato's "Republic" includes a variety of contributors from across several disciplines and countries. The anthology aims to establish Averroes as a great philosopher in his own right, with special and unique insight into the world of Islam, as well as a valuable commentator on Plato. A major feature of the book is the first published English translation of Shlomo Pines's 1957 essay, written in Hebrew, on Averroes. The volume explores many aspects of Averroes's philosophy, including its teachings on poetry, philosophy, religion, law, and government. Other sections trace both the inspiration Averroes's work drew from past philosophers and the influence it had on future generations, especially in Jewish and Christian Europe.

Scholars of medieval philosophy, ancient philosophy, Jewish studies, and the history of political thought more generally will find important insights in this volume. The anthology is also intended to provide the necessary background for teachers aiming to introduce Averroes's commentary into the classroom. With the Republic regularly appearing near the top of lists of the most frequently taught books in the history of philosophy, this volume shows how the most important medieval commentary on it deserves a place in the curriculum as well.
Introduction
Alexander Orwin

Section 1: Averroes and His Teachers
Imposing Alfarabi on Plato: Averroes's Novel Placement of the Platonic City
Alexander Orwin
Ibn Bajja: An Independent Reader of the Republic
Josep Puig Montada

Section 2: Poetry, Philosophy, and Logic
Expelling Dialectics from the Ideal State: Making the World Safe for Philosophy in Averroes's Commentary on Plato's "Republic"
Yehuda Halper
Music, Poetry, and Politics in Averroes's Commentary on Plato's "Republic"
Douglas Kries

Section 3: Law, Religion, and Philosophy
Averroes on Family and Property in the Commentary on Plato's "Republic"
Catarina Belo
Notes on Averroes's Political Teaching
Shlomo Pines (trans. Alexander Orwin)
The Shari?a of the Republic: Islamic Law and Philosophy in Averroes Commentary on Plato's "Republic"
Rasoul Namazi
An Indecisive Truth: Divine Law and Philosophy in the Decisive Treatise and Commentary on Plato's "Republic"
Karen Taliaferro

Section 4: Wisdom, Government, and the Character of the Political Community
Averroes between Jihad and McWorld
Michael Kochin
The Essential Qualities of the Ruler in Averroes's Commentary on Plato's "Republic"
Rosalie Helena de Souza Pereira
Natural Perfection or Divine Fiat
Joshua Parens
Philosopher Kings and Counsellors: How Should Philosophers Participate in Politics?
Alexander Orwin

Section 5: Averroes's Reception in Europe
Three Readings of Averroes's Commentary on Plato's "Republic" in Medieval Jewish Thought
Alexander Green
The Two Hebrew-into-Latin Translations of Averroes's Commentary on Plato's "Republic": Method, Motivation, and Context
Michael Engel
Bibliography
Contributors
Index

ALEXANDER ORWIN is an assistant professor of political science at Louisiana State University and has recently published a monograph on the medieval philosopher Alfarabi.

Hardcover

9781648250118

April 2022

Buy

$125.00 / £105.00

Shipping Options

Buy Ships within 2 business days

Buy

Purchasing options are not available in this country.

Ebook (EPDF)

9781800104983

April 2022

Buy

£24.99 / $29.95

Ebook (EPUB)

9781800105157

April 2022

Buy

£24.99 / $29.95

Title Details

338 Pages

2.28 x 1.52 cm

Series: Rochester Studies in Medieval Political Thought

Series Vol. Number: 3

Imprint: University of Rochester Press