The Incoherence of the Philosophers

What it is

Written around 1095 by the Muslim scholar al-Ghazali, this book criticizes the philosophical ideas of Avicenna and al-Farabi. Al-Ghazali argued that their doctrines, especially about the eternity of the world and God's knowledge, were heretical. The image shown here is a library catalogue card recording the work, not the book itself.

Why it matters

This is one of the most important responses to Avicenna's philosophy in the Islamic world. Al-Ghazali accepted sciences like logic and mathematics but rejected the metaphysical conclusions of philosophers like Avicenna. The book had enormous success and strengthened a theological school that opposed Avicennian philosophy.

Look closer

• Why might a respected scholar attack ideas rather than ignore them?
• What does the existence of this catalogue card tell you about how such works are preserved and studied today?
• What parts of philosophy did al-Ghazali accept, and what does that tell you about his real objection?