Al-Ghazālī’s World View ~ Sisters
Course
About The Course
Al-Ghazālī’s World View : Delving into the intellectual legacy of Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī – a preeminent scholar in the Muslim world and a pivotal figure in the Islamic intellectual tradition – this course Al-Ghazālī’s World View critically evaluates the role of doubt (shakk) and certainty (yaqīn) in his epistemology. Participants will explore al-Ghazālī’s approach to acquiring certainty, his methodological scepticism, his foundationalism, his attitude towards authoritative instruction (taʿlīm), and the place of philosophical demonstration and Sufism in his epistemology. This course Al-Ghazālī’s World View is designed for those with interests in classical Islamic philosophy, Sufism, ethics, theology, epistemology, and Islamic studies in general.
At A Glance
- 12 Live Online Sessions
- Duration: 3+ Months
- Sundays, 7 PM - 8:30 PM (London, UK)
- Video Recordings Available
- Access to Mobile App
- Digital Certificate
- From £14.99 (For 4 Months)
Enroll Now
- Starts on 30th June 2024
- Course Fee:
Pay in Full:£89.99£59.99
Pay in 4 Installments: £14.99 per month - Registration Deadline: 29th June 2024
Al Balagh Scholarship
AlBalagh Scholarship is available for learners who cannot afford the fee. Learn More and Apply
Course Overview
Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī (d. 1111), known by the honorific title, the “Proof of Islam”, was one of the foremost scholars and authorities in the Muslim world. The epistemology of a paradigmatic figure like al-Ghazālī is central to Islamic intellectual thought, but also speaks to our modern world. In this course Al-Ghazālī’s World View we embark on a study of doubt (shakk) and certainty (yaqīn) in al-Ghazālī’s epistemology. Al-Ghazālī was no dogmatist or religious zealot, but a scholar with a critical spirit who relentlessly struggled in pursuit of truth and certainty. In this course Al-Ghazālī’s World View we look at al-Ghazālī’s attitude to philosophical demonstration and Sufism as a means to certainty.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Introduce Al-Ghazālī’s Life and Thought: Provide an overview of al-Ghazālī’s life, intellectual development, and major works. Explore the historical context that shaped al-Ghazālī’s epistemological inquiries.
- Examine Al-Ghazālī’s Scepticism and Approach to Certainty: Analyse al-Ghazālī’s methodological scepticism and evaluate the role of foundationalism in his epistemology. Explore al-Ghazālī’s quest for certainty and the different means of attaining it.
- Investigate Al-Ghazālī’s Perspective on Philosophy and Sufism: Investigate al-Ghazālī’s views on the relationship between philosophical reasoning and mystical experience (Sufism). Critically assess traditional and contemporary interpretations of al-Ghazālī’s stance on philosophical demonstration and Sufi spiritual practices.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding Al-Ghazālī’s Epistemological Framework: Students will gain a deep comprehension of al-Ghazālī’s approach to doubt (shakk) and certainty (yaqīn) within the context of Islamic intellectual thought.
- Evaluating Al-Ghazālī’s View on Philosophical Demonstration and Sufism: Participants will examine al-Ghazālī’s nuanced stance towards philosophical demonstration and Sufism as a means to certainty.
- Exploring Al-Ghazālī’s Intellectual Legacy: Engage with primary literature and scholarly discourse to navigate the complexities of al-Ghazālī’s intellectual legacy, and impact on Islamic philosophy, theology, and mysticism.
MODULES
Module 1
Introduction to Course
Module 2
Al-Ghazālī’s Quest for the Foundations of Knowledge (Part 1)
Module 3
Al-Ghazālī’s Quest for the Foundations of Knowledge (Part 2)
Module 4
Certainty, Reason, and Religious Authority (Part 1)
Module 5
Certainty, Reason, and Religious Authority (Part 2)
Module 6
Introduction to Early Ashʿarite and Avicennian Cosmology
Module 7
The Principle of Causality in The Incoherence
Module 8
Certainty and Revelation
Module 9
The Second Crisis and the Quest for Prophetic Knowledge
Module 10
The Path to Knowledge of God
Module 11
Science of the Path to the Hereafter (ʿIlm ṭarīq al-ākhira) and the Sufi Ontology of Oneness
Module 12
Conclusion to Course
Here is the course outline:
Welcome Aboard: Course Introduction |
WhatsApp Discussion Group Link |
Pre Course Survey Form |
IT Oreintation |
Session 1~ Introduction to Course |
Session 2 ~ Al-Ghazālī’s Quest for the Foundations of Knowledge (Part 1) |
Session 3 ~ Al-Ghazālī’s Quest for the Foundations of Knowledge (Part 2) |
Session 4 ~ Certainty, Reason, and Religious Authority (Part 1) |
Session 5 ~ Certainty, Reason, and Religious Authority (Part 2) |
Session 6 ~ Introduction to Early Ashʿarite and Avicennian Cosmology |
Session 7 ~ The Principle of Causality in The Incoherence |
Session 8 ~ Certainty and Revelation |
Session 9 ~ The Second Crisis and the Quest for Prophetic Knowledge |
Session 10 ~ The Path to Knowledge of God |
Session 11 ~ Science of the Path to the Hereafter (ʿIlm ṭarīq al-ākhira) and the Sufi Ontology of... |
Session 12 ~ Conclusion to Course |
Completion
The following certificates are awarded when the course is completed:
Al-Ghazālī’s World View |