Die Mu'taziliten oder Die Freidenker im Islam: Ein Beitrag zur allgemeinen Culturgeschichte
Leipzig: Hirzel, 1865. Hardcover. 8vo. xiv, 110pp. Black paper covered boards with red label. Work on the Mu'tazila, a rationalistic Islamic school of thought that integrates elements from Greek philosophy. As shown by acclaimed Orientalist and scholar of Islam Ignaz Goldziher ("Introduction to Islamic Theology and Law (Princeton: Princeton University Press. 1981), p. 103), Heinrich Steiner creates an idealized picture of the Mu'tazila and their role in Islam, a view that was adopted by some other late nineteenth century and early twentieth century scholars: "Steiner and his successors believed that the Mu'tazila were rationalists, freethinkers, and liberals, and that their continued success would have been more beneficial to Islam (that is, more congenial to nineteenth-century European liberal tastes) than the traditionalists who replaced them." Goldziher argued against this view. Age wear to binding, especially at edges and alongside spine, with parts of label missing. Library inventory number paste-on to front board. Minor browning throughout, with sporadic pencil marks at margins. Otherwise clean and tight. In German. Good- condition. fair. Item #20141
Price: $175.00