Galen and the Arabic Reception of Plato''s Timaeus

Explores the Timaeus' impact on pre-modern Greek and Arabic conceptualizations of medicine and will appeal to classicists, medievalists, and historians of philosophy, science, and the Middle East. Its five case studies examine how thinkers such as Galen and Avicenna used Plato's dialogue to define their expertise and professional identities.

List of contents

Introduction. Plato's Timaeus as universal text; 1. Galen and the 'medical' Timaeus; 2. From the heavens to the body: ¿unayn's ophthalmology; 3. Al-R¿z¿: the 'Arab Galen' and his Plato, new disciplinary ideals; 4. Laying down the law: Avicenna and his medical project; 5. Uprooting the Timaeus: Maimonides and the re-medicalization of Galenism; Conclusion. Medicine disciplined.

About the author

Aileen R. Das is an Assistant Professor of Classical Studies and Middle East Studies at the University of Michigan. Her work aims to illuminate the diverse, and often subversive, uses to which medieval Arabic writers put their Greco-Roman sources in realizing their own scientific ambitions. In addition to translating Arabic versions of lost or fragmentary Greek texts, she has published on various topics relating to ancient and medieval medicine and philosophy, including Islamicate receptions of Hippocrates, epitomatory literature, and views on plant life.

Summary

Explores the Timaeus' impact on pre-modern Greek and Arabic conceptualizations of medicine and will appeal to classicists, medievalists, and historians of philosophy, science, and the Middle East. Its five case studies examine how thinkers such as Galen and Avicenna used Plato's dialogue to define their expertise and professional identities.

Product details

• Authors: Das Aileen R. Das, Aileen R Das, Aileen R. Das, Aileen R. (University of Michigan Das, DAS AILEEN R.
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.10.2020
• EAN: 9781108499484
• ISBN: 978-1-108-49948-4
• No. of pages: 320
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > General; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day; PHILOSOPHY / General, Philosophy, MEDICAL / History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Islamic Studies, Islamic Studies, History of Medicine, Relating to Islamic / Muslim people and groups, Social groups: religious groups and communities, Islamic & Arabic philosophy, Islamic and Arab philosophy