Philosophical school of Isfahan
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Philosophical school of Isfahan (Persian:مکتب فلسفی اصفهان) refers to philosophical, mystical and theological movements during shah Abbas Safavid's ruling in Iran.[1] this has been coined by Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Henry Corbin.[2]
Historical context
This school of thought appeared when the conditions has been provided by the Safavid court in terms of social affairs, stability of political affairs and also economical. This developments also existed in terms of cultural subjects such as supporting of Art works.[3] there are many polemics between Shiite scholar such as Ahamad Alavi with Christian and Jewish scholars.[4] in this period we can observe that the intellectual life of Suhrevardi has been revived by Mir Damad and mulla Sadra.[5] According to Seyyed Hosein Nasr, this school is of important role both in terms of the relation between philosophy and prophecy, and in terms of training Mulla sadra. Isfahan school is subsequent of Shiraz school of philosophy. Of course Some of the philosophers who were outside of shiraz school had very important role in preparing the Isfahan school such as Ibn Turkah, Qadi Maybudi and Ibn Abi Jomhour Ahsaei. At the same Time Nasr knows Mir Damad as the founder of this school such a way that founded nearly sixteenth century. This school also counted as one result of Safavid ruling. They announced shia as formal and original religion in Persia and in this way try to unfied all country. Also they a proclaimed Isfahan as their capital. Nasr believes that on opposition to extremist view, there is a flowering in philosophical sphere in Isfahan school. Philosophy introduced to Safavid court and had supporters there before jurists.[6] different factors help to flourish of Isfahan school among them it can be mentioned such as theoretical background and also great masters who paved the way for flourishing.[7]
founder of Isfahan school
Mir Damad undoubtedly is the founder of Isfahan philosophical school. He was the nephew of Muhaqiq Karaki, important Shia scholar who had influence in Shia jurisprudence. It seems that Mir Damad knew very well of philosophical prophecy. His philosophical stand in relation to explanation of Time could be considered as reason for this awareness. In spite of that he begins to invent new concepts in philosophical sphere in relation to prophecy. Henry Corbin believes that there is defect knowledge on destiny of philosophy in Islam such a way that he try to show the importance of Isfahan school of thought. Corbin knows Mir Damad as one who has analytic mind and one who is aware of religious foundation of knowledge. Maybe the most important character of Mira Damad's philosophy is a synthesis between Avicennism and Averrosicm. This synthesis is between the intellectual and the spiritual.[2] Mir Damad's theory on Time is popular as Huduth Dahri. According to him, Dahr as a world, is a relation between the changing and the changeless. This philosophical opinion is criticized by his pupil namely Mulla Sadra. In fact there is a great challenge between these two figures, Mulla Sadra and Mir Damad, in relation to philosophical subjects such as time.[8]
other teachers
Mir findiriski
Mir Abul Qasim Findiriski was a peripatetic philosopher and follower of Farabi an Avicenna.It seems that he select Peripatetic stance versus illuminationists in thought.[9] he taught many scientific in Isfahan school such as philosophy, mathematics and Medicine.[10] it is debatable whether Mulla Sadra studied under him or not. Any way this is clear that both of them knew each other. Mir Findiriski was familiar with other religions like Indian religions and Zoroastrianism. he also wrote some works in Indian philosophy, also some treatises on fine Arts like Sanaiyyah.[11] According to Nasr, he was all around in different majors from philosophy,poetry to alchemy and philosophy of Yoga.Besides he wrote a treatise on his mystical experiences.it is important that Mir findiriski also like Mir Damad try to create a link between philosophy and prophecy in Treatise of Sanaiyyah.[8] Mir Findiriski try to translate Indian philosophical works by translating to Persian language.[12]
Shaykh-i Baha’i
Shaykh-i Baha’i was one of the three masters of Mulla Sadra and also Isfahan school. he was at the same time a political person as famous chief jurist( shaykh Al Islam) and jurist in Safavid court.[13] he was skillful in different sciences like Mir Damad and Mir Fenedereski. certainly it is clear that he was both scientist and man of wisdom. He also had the religious authority in Shah Abbas period.he try to harmonize between shariah and Tariqah.[14] he coined a wisdom by the name of Hikmate Yamani( wisdom of believing). he believed that human is the only existent who could be "the place of illumination for Existence".[15]
philosophers of Mir Damad's School
- Sayyed Ahmad Alavi
- Shams Addin Muhammad Gilani
- Abd al-Razzaq Lahiji
- Qutb Addin Muhammad Eshkevari
philosophers of Shaykh-i Baha’i's School
- Mulla Sadra
- Mohsen Fayz Kashani
- Mirza Rafiaa Naeini
philosophers of Mir Finidiriski's School
- Agha Hosein khansari
- Muhammad Baqir Sabzevari
philosophers of Rajab Ali Tabrizi's school
- Qazi Saeed Qomi
- Mir Qavam Addin Razi
- Muhammad Sadiq Ardestani
other philosophers of Isfahan School
- Mulla Muhammad Sadiq Ardestan
- Muhammad Ismaeil Khajouei
- Molla Naima Taleghani
- Abdu Al Rahim Damavandi
- Agha Muhammad Bid Abadi
- Mulla Mahdi Naraqi
- Mulla Ali Nuri
- Mulla Nazar Ali gilani
- Molla Esmaeel Isfahani
- Molla Abdollah Zonuzi
- Molla hadi Sabzevari
- Molla Muhammad Esmaeel Darb Koushki
- Molla Muhammad kashani
- Jahangir khan Qashqaei
References
- ^ "ISFAHAN SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY – Encyclopaedia Iranica". Iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ a b "ISFAHAN SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY – Encyclopaedia Iranica". Iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ (Andrew Newman, 2006 & p.90)
- ^ (Rula Jurdi Abisaab, 2004 & p.79)
- ^ (Roger savory, 2007 & p.217)
- ^ "Islamic Philosophy from Its Origin to the Present: Philosophy in the Land of ... - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ "Mulla Sadra - Sayeh Meisami - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ a b "Islamic Philosophy from Its Origin to the Present: Philosophy in the Land of ... - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ "History of Civilizations of Central Asia: Development in contrast : from the ... - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ "From Essence to Being: The Philosophy of Mulla Sadra and Martin Heidegger - Muhammad Kamal - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ "Mulla Sadra's Transcendent Philosophy - Muhammad Kamal - Google Books". Books.google.com. 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ "Knowledge and the Sacred: Revisioning Academic Accountability - Seyyed Hossein Nasr - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ "Mystics, Monarchs, and Messiahs: Cultural Landscapes of Early Modern Iran - Kathryn Babayan - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ "Revelation, Intellectual Intuition and Reason in the Philosophy of Mulla ... - Zailan Moris - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
- ^ (Modarresi Motlaq, 1389 solar & p.p.42-47)
Sources
- Andrew J. Newman,Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire, Issue 5 of Library of Middle East History,Publisher I.B.Tauris, 2006, ISBN 1860646670, 9781860646676
- Rula Jurdi Abisaab,Converting Persia: Religion and Power in the Safavid Empire,Volume 1 of International Library of Iranian Studies,I.B.Tauris, 2004,186064970X, 9781860649707
- Roger Savory,Iran Under the Safavids,Cambridge University Press, 2007,0521042518, 9780521042512