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The Philosophy and Theology of Averroes

Chapter 3: PREFACE
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About This Book

The volume presents translations of medieval Arabic treatises arguing that study of philosophy and the sciences is compatible with and even required by sacred law, because careful inquiry into creation through reason leads to knowledge of the Creator. It defends philosophical methods as instruments for correct inference, urges learning from earlier authorities, and outlines how dialectic and demonstration should be applied to theological questions. A companion treatise analyzes methods of argument about doctrines, identifies interpretive errors and misleading innovations, and includes an appendix addressing the problem of eternal knowledge.

PREFACE

It was as a Fellow of the Seminar for the Comparative Study of Religions at the College, Baroda, that the present work was begun. The subject was taken up in the first place as a parallel study to that contained in a paper in the Indian Philosophical Review, Volume II, July 1918, pp. 24-32 entitled “Maimonides and the Attainment of Religious Truth.” But as I proceeded with my investigation I thought it might be best to let Averroes speak for himself. For this reason I have here translated certain treatises of Averroes, as edited in the Arabic text by D. H. Muller in “Philosophie und Theologie von Averroes.” Munich 1859. I am confident that the book will prove an interesting one and will explain itself to the reader without any introduction on my part. Though owing to my appointment at Hyderabad I resigned my position at Baroda soon after commencing this work I wish here to express my thanks to Professor Alban G. Widgery of Baroda for his constant sympathy with and encouragement for my work in and out of the Seminar. He has also kindly accepted the book for inclusion in the Gaekwad Studies in Religion and Philosophy. I am indebted to him for a complete revision of the manuscript and for the onerous work of seeing the book through the press. I am also indebted to my brother Mutazid Wali ur Rehman, B.A. for valuable help in rendering many obscure passages.

Mohammad Jamil ur Rehman
Osmania University,
Hyderabad.