The Incoherence of the Philosophers by Al-Ghazali: A Milestone in Islamic Philosophy
The Significance of The Incoherence of the Philosophers Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali's The Incoherence of the Philosophers ( Tahafut al-Falasifah , تهافت الفلاسفة) is one of the most influential works in Islamic philosophy. Written in the 11th century, this powerful critique questions the metaphysical claims of earlier Islamic philosophers like Al-Farabi and Avicenna (Ibn Sina). By examining and challenging these ideas, Al-Ghazali's work sparked new dialogues in theology, philosophy, and even mysticism. This article explores the arguments in The Incoherence of the Philosophers , Al-Ghazali's defense of Islamic orthodoxy, and the impact his critique had on later philosophy. The Historical Context of The Incoherence of the Philosophers Al-Ghazali wrote The Incoherence of the Philosophers during a period of intense philosophical and theological debate within the Islamic world. At that time, Muslim scholars were engaging deeply with Greek philosophy, especially the works of Aristotl...