- Hardcover: 493 pages
- Publisher: University of California Press; Rev Sub edition (Aug 6 1984)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0520052641
- ISBN-13: 978-0520052642
- Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 1.5 x 0.4 cm
- Shipping Weight: 748 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #406,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
In this deeply learned work, Toshihiko Izutsu compares the metaphysical and mystical thought-systems of Sufism and Taoism and discovers that, although historically unrelated, the two share features and patterns which prove fruitful for a transhistorical dialogue. His original and suggestive approach opens new doors in the study of comparative philosophy and mysticism.
Izutsu begins with Ibn 'Arabi, analyzing and isolating the major ontological concepts of this most challenging of Islamic thinkers. Then, in the second part of the book, Izutsu turns his attention to an analysis of parallel concepts of two great Taoist thinkers, Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu. Only after laying bare the fundamental structure of each world view does Izutsu embark, in the final section of the book, upon a comparative analysis. Only thus, he argues, can he be sure to avoid easy and superficial comparisons. Izutsu maintains that both the Sufi and Taoist world views are based on two pivots--the Absolute Man and the Perfect Man--with a whole system of oncological thought being developed between these two pivots. Izutsu discusses similarities in these ontological systems and advances the hypothesis that certain patterns of mystical and metaphysical thought may be shared even by systems with no apparent historical connection.
This second edition of Sufism and Taoism is the first published in the United States. The original edition, published in English and in Japan, was prized by the few English-speaking scholars who knew of it as a model in the field of comparative philosophy. Making available in English much new material on both sides of its comparison, Sufism and Taoism richly fulfills Izutsu's motivating desire "to open a new vista in the domain of comparative philosophy."
Izutsu begins with Ibn 'Arabi, analyzing and isolating the major ontological concepts of this most challenging of Islamic thinkers. Then, in the second part of the book, Izutsu turns his attention to an analysis of parallel concepts of two great Taoist thinkers, Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu. Only after laying bare the fundamental structure of each world view does Izutsu embark, in the final section of the book, upon a comparative analysis. Only thus, he argues, can he be sure to avoid easy and superficial comparisons. Izutsu maintains that both the Sufi and Taoist world views are based on two pivots--the Absolute Man and the Perfect Man--with a whole system of oncological thought being developed between these two pivots. Izutsu discusses similarities in these ontological systems and advances the hypothesis that certain patterns of mystical and metaphysical thought may be shared even by systems with no apparent historical connection.
This second edition of Sufism and Taoism is the first published in the United States. The original edition, published in English and in Japan, was prized by the few English-speaking scholars who knew of it as a model in the field of comparative philosophy. Making available in English much new material on both sides of its comparison, Sufism and Taoism richly fulfills Izutsu's motivating desire "to open a new vista in the domain of comparative philosophy."
From the Inside Flap
"Professor Izutsu's work is a pioneering attempt to bring into focus the shareable philosophical concerns of two seemingly unrelated landmarks into religious thought. His method is suggestive, interpretation new and bold, and material used important for further research. His book is useful to students of comparative religion, philosophy of religion, cultural anthropology, Asian thought and religion, and Islamic and Taoist studies."--Tu Wei-ming
"[This book] carries out a comparison in depth between Islamic and Chinese thought for the first time in modern scholarship. . . . Since this book appeared it has influenced every work on Ibn 'Arabi and metaphysical Sufism...[and] any cursory study of Sufism during the last fifteen years will reveal the extent of Izutsu's influence."--Seyyed Hossein Nasr
"[This book] carries out a comparison in depth between Islamic and Chinese thought for the first time in modern scholarship. . . . Since this book appeared it has influenced every work on Ibn 'Arabi and metaphysical Sufism...[and] any cursory study of Sufism during the last fifteen years will reveal the extent of Izutsu's influence."--Seyyed Hossein Nasr
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good book to read,
By A Customer
This review is from: Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts (Hardcover)
This is a good book in comparing Moslem mysticism with that of Taoism. The author seem to have a good understanding of the topic. After reading some other popular book showing a kinship between modern physics and eastern philosophies by some over excited writers, one has to be careful drawing too much conclusions on these type of comparative studies even if it is done by a skillful writer.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A step towards meta-historical dialogue,
This review is from: Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts (Hardcover)
An excellent comparative analysis of the ideas of Ibn Arabi and Lao Tzu. Izutsu very clearly and sytematically presents the underlying metaphysical concepts which serve as the substrate for IA's and LT's respective world-views. Relying on Qashani, a classical Ibn Arabi interpretor, to expound IA's otherwise elliptical and obscure theosophy, the author suceeds in simplifying IA's difficult and mind-boggling ontology which has riddled Muslim scholars for centuries. By bringing to light the profound similarites between IA's and LT's doctrines, some interesting questions are raised which probably can't be answered exclusively by historical scholarship.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews) 16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A practical help,
By R. Morici - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts (Hardcover)
This is an excellent book for those who are looking for historical background and structure for their experiences of, as Al-Qudat Hamadani calls it, the "domain of the supra-sensible order of things." Exploring both Sufism and Taoism, Izutsu reveals his qualifications of scholarship, language, and personal experience. Although there is repetition, one realizes before long that this is his way of emphasizing certain aspects and making sure their importance has been registered, much like a good teacher would.Of particular value is his extensive explanation of dual and non-dual thinking found in Toward a Philosophy of Zen Buddhism and Creation and the Timeless Order of Things. For this reason I would recommend reading those books first. His explanation of what happens when a person experiences the "existential transition to an entirely different plane of consciousness from that of sensation and rational thinking", is a very useful and convincing analysis. His work toward developing a comprehensive philosophy originating in the "school of the unity of existence" provides the reader with much help with their own understanding of this domain. I would recommend his books to anyone of any religion who views existence with the utmost seriousness. 24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A step towards meta-historical dialogue,
By "aspiringsufi" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts (Hardcover)
An excellent comparative analysis of the ideas of Ibn Arabi and Lao Tzu. Izutsu very clearly and sytematically presents the underlying metaphysical concepts which serve as the substrate for IA's and LT's respective world-views. Relying on Qashani, a classical Ibn Arabi interpretor, to expound IA's otherwise elliptical and obscure theosophy, the author suceeds in simplifying IA's difficult and mind-boggling ontology which has riddled Muslim scholars for centuries. By bringing to light the profound similarites between IA's and LT's doctrines, some interesting questions are raised which probably can't be answered exclusively by historical scholarship.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
well worth the price,
By Taeguk "Taeguk" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts (Hardcover)
An invaluable resource for Sufis, Daoists, and anybody interested in mysticism and philosophy. Well written and profound.
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