The Incoherence of the Incoherence
Ibn Rushd's defense of Aristotelian philosophy against al-Ghazali's critique.
Written in the style of a dialogue, it defends the use of Aristotelian philosophy within Islamic thought and responds to al-Ghazali's claims in The Incoherence of the Philosophers, which criticized Neoplatonic thought. The book is considered Ibn Rushd's landmark, in which he tries to create harmony between faith and philosophy.
- field
- Philosophy, theology
- nationality
- Andalusian Muslim
- known_for
- Defending Aristotelian philosophy within Islam; writing The Incoherence of the Incoherence
Lore & Background
The Incoherence of the Incoherence was written as a response to al-Ghazali's The Incoherence of the Philosophers, in which the Sufi-sympathetic imam of the Ash'ari school argued against Avicennism, denouncing philosophers such as Ibn Sina and al-Farabi. Al-Ghazali's text was dramatically successful and marked a milestone in the ascendance of the Ash'ari within philosophy and theological discourse. Al-Ghazali stated that one must be well versed in the ideas of the philosophers before refuting them, and that his objection was with metaphysics, not other branches of philosophy such as physics, logic, astronomy, or mathematics. Ibn Rushd's response defends the doctrines of the philosophers and criticizes al-Ghazali's own arguments. It is written as a sort of dialogue: Ibn Rushd quotes passages by al-Ghazali and then responds to them. Ibn Rushd attempted to create harmony between faith and philosophy, between Aristotelian ideas and Islam, claiming that Aristotle is also right and the words of the Quran are also the eternal truth. Originally written in Arabic, the book was subsequently translated into many other languages. In Europe, Ibn Rushd's philosophical writings were generally well received by Christian and Jewish scholars and gave rise to the philosophical school of Averroism.
Reader's Guide
The Incoherence of the Incoherence is significant as Ibn Rushd's landmark defense of Aristotelian philosophy within Islamic thought, directly challenging al-Ghazali's influential critique of Neoplatonic philosophy. By writing in a dialogue format, Ibn Rushd systematically addresses al-Ghazali's objections, particularly those concerning metaphysics, while attempting to reconcile faith and reason. The work's legacy extends beyond the Islamic world: in Europe, it was generally well received by Christian and Jewish scholars and gave rise to the philosophical school of Averroism. The book remains a key text for understanding the tensions between philosophy and theology in medieval Islamic thought, and its translation into many languages underscores its enduring relevance.
Did You Know?
- The Incoherence of the Incoherence was written as a dialogue against al-Ghazali's claims in The Incoherence of the Philosophers.
- Ibn Rushd claimed that Aristotle is also right and the words of the Quran are also the eternal truth.
- The book was originally written in Arabic and subsequently translated into many other languages.
- In Europe, Ibn Rushd's philosophical writings gave rise to the philosophical school of Averroism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Incoherence of the Incoherence actually about?
It is a philosophical work in which Ibn Rushd argues that rational inquiry and Islamic faith can coexist without contradiction. The text pushes back against the theological accusations that had been leveled at Neoplatonic and Aristotelian thinkers.
What literary format does The Incoherence of the Incoherence use?
Rather than reading as a standard essay, the book is structured as a dialogue between speakers. Ibn Rushd chose this conversational format as the vehicle for laying out his philosophical arguments.
What prompted Ibn Rushd to write The Incoherence of the Incoherence?
The work is a direct rebuttal to al-Ghazali's earlier text, The Incoherence of the Philosophers, which had charged philosophers with holding heretical views. Ibn Rushd felt it necessary to defend the legitimacy of philosophical reasoning inside Islamic thought.
Why is The Incoherence of the Incoherence considered a landmark text?
It represents Ibn Rushd's most significant effort to harmonize rational philosophy with religious belief in the Islamic tradition. The treatise remains a cornerstone reference for anyone studying how medieval Muslim scholars navigated the tension between faith and Aristotelian logic.
More in Nonfiction And Reference 1-24
Elsewhere in the Nonfiction And Reference universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record