Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr
This course offers an exposition of the Islamic metaphysical tradition, paying particular attention to how principial and divine knowledge are distinct from information or merely factual knowledge. In addition to advancing an argument in favor of integrating metaphysics at every level of one’s being, the course will also delve into various applications of Islamic metaphysics pertaining to the domains of religion, education, philosophy, art, ecology, and science.
Session 1
Topic: Being and Consciousness
Session 2
Topic: Where is Sophia?
Readings: What Is Metaphysics?, preface, and 1–26
Session 3
Topic: The Meaning and Significance of Metaphysics
Readings: What Is Metaphysics?, 26–32
Session 4
Topic: The Domain of Contingency I
Readings: What Is Metaphysics?, 33–48
Session 5
Topic: The Domain of Contingency II
Readings: What Is Metaphysics?, 48–66
Session 6
Topic: Applications of Metaphysical Principles I
Readings: What Is Metaphysics?, 67–77
Session 7
Topic: Applications of Metaphysical Principles II
Readings: What Is Metaphysics?, 77–94
Session 8
Topic: A Knowledge that Wounds the Soul
Readings: What Is Metaphysics?, 94–101
