Mahdi, Muhsin S. Alfarabi and the Foundation of Islamic Political Philosophy.(Book Review)(Brief Article)

Perspectives on Political Science, September, 2002 by Mainuddin, Rolin

Chicago: University of Chicago Press 264 pp., $37.50, ISBN 0-226-50186-8 Publication Date: July 2001

A professor emeritus of Arabic studies at Harvard University, Muhsin S. Mahdi views Abu Nasr al-Farabi as the most important bridge between Western and Muslim philosophic traditions. A disciple of the Alexandria school, al-Farabi not only redirected attention to the political philosophy of Plato and Aristotle but also pioneered the mainstream Islamic philosophical tradition. Aside from references to al-Farabi's Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle--the "triology" first identified by Leo Strauss and comprising Attainment of Happiness, Philosophy of Plato, and Philosophy of Aristotle--Mahdi particularly cites four works by the "philosopher of the Muslims":...

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