Islamic Philosophy in the Modern Debate
Recently a combined effort of the Islamic Studies Fund and the Interfaith Fund of the University of Lethbridge brought distinguished speaker Timothy Gianotti to Lethbridge for an evening of dynamic lectures and frank discussion. Dr. Gianotti, an American born scholar of Islamic Philosophy presently teaching at York University, spent the better portion of two hours delivering a lecture entitled “Where The Breadth of Jesus and the Religious Sciences Meet: al-Ghazali on the Jurisprudence of the Heart (fiqh al-qalb) and the Resuscitation of Islam in the 12th Century”. His discussion was a pithy, open association of academic values, modern misconceptions and medieval philosophy tied together with searing insight.
Dr. Gianotti presented a strong counter argument to of the typical Islamicist thought floating about, such as Bernard Lewis’ call for a modern Islamic reformation or pseudo-reformer Irshad Manji’s call for a movement of Muslim Rufusenik’s. Dr. Gianotti examined the traditional philosophical heritage of 12th Century Islamic thought, particularly al-Ghazali’s, in relation to the more crystallized and less nuanced modern Islamic thought, and found hope as well as fault.
I found his lecture to be particularly refreshing, as it favored the academic discourse over the apologetic rhetoric I constantly hear on popular media and local debates alike. Gianotti instead focused on the scholarly understanding of the tradition, while still remaining a devout and sincere practicing Muslim. While it may seem like this is not a startling revelation, it has been my experience time and again to come across predominantly more apologetic discourses then not. While I do not find this phenomenon harmful, it is neither helpful. True dialogue does not develop from defense, but from frank admission and honest introspection. Dr. Gianotti personified these traits. For him, Islam offers unique insight into different facets of beauty, stimulation and enlightenment. But he is also aware and honest of the damage a crystallized, institutionalized faith that is so prevalent today.
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