Philosophy and the Philosopher from Farabi's Perspective

Farabi, an unparalleled philosopher honored with the title "Second Teacher," has undeniably influenced subsequent philosophers and the broader trajectory of Islamic philosophy. Avicenna (Ibn Sina) grasped the intricacies of philosophy through studying Farabi’s The Aims of Metaphysics (Aghrāḍ Mā Ba‘d at-Tabī‘a) and remarked, “Farabi should be regarded with awe and reverence.” Understanding Farabi’s perspective on philosophy and the philosopher can introduce us to one of the primary sources of Islamic philosophy. Farabi considers philosophy the queen and mother of sciences, asserting that civilization and society depend on it. He believes that true philosophy temporally precedes religious law (shari’a) and insists that religious adherents should base their understanding of religious rulings on philosophy, reason, and rational proof rather than relying solely on the persuasive arguments of theologians. Farabi views philosophy as a product of humanity’s pursuit of happiness and virtue, requiring the study of both theoretical and practical philosophy to achieve it. He regards the ultimate goal of philosophy as the perfection of the rational faculty and states that the title of “philosopher” signifies the possession of theoretical virtue. This article, based on reflections and examinations of Farabi’s own texts, employs a descriptive-analytical method. Among its findings is that Farabi sees no substitute for rational proof and philosophical certainty. His assertion of philosophy’s precedence over shari’a refers to temporal precedence, not an essential one, aiming to emphasize philosophy’s priority over the mindset of religious adherents rather than over the intrinsic essence of religion itself. Furthermore, Farabi’s unique distinction between philosophy and wisdom is unprecedented among Muslim philosophers. He is also credited with introducing the concept of “qualified philosophies” through terms such as “civil philosophy,” “sophistical philosophy,” and “true philosophy.”