Received Wisdom: The Use of Authority in Medieval Islamic Philosophy

Adamson, Peter (2021): Received Wisdom: The Use of Authority in Medieval Islamic Philosophy. In: Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplements, Vol. 89: pp. 99-115

Abstract

In this paper I challenge the notion that medieval philosophy was characterized by strict adherence to authority. In particular, I argue that to the contrary, self-consciously critical reflection on authority was a widespread intellectual virtue in the Islamic world. The contrary vice, called ‘taqlīd’, was considered appropriate only for those outside the scholarly elite. I further suggest that this idea was originally developed in the context of Islamic law and was then passed on to authors who worked within the philosophical tradition.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 180 Ancient, medieval and eastern philosophy
• ISSN: 1358-2461
• Language: English