2021/10/14

Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts by Toshihiko Izutsu | Goodreads

Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts by Toshihiko Izutsu | Goodreads





Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts

 4.43  ·   Rating details ·  118 ratings  ·  18 reviews
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."
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Hardcover493 pages
Published August 6th 1984 by University of California Press (first published 1984)
Original Title
Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts

 Average rating
Rego Hemia
Aug 11, 2009rated it really liked it
This book is metaphysical ontology porn. I am loving it. The sections on the Absolute under Sufism are relentlessly challenging and difficult, and I'm just now starting the Taoism section, which is proving to be equally so.
I can't wait to finish so that I can begin letting the information percolate down through the strata of my mind.
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Yasin Ramazan
Jan 04, 2015rated it it was amazing
I only read the first part, which is already designed to be a separate book by the author. The first part, which is an investigation about Ibn Arabi's key concepts in the Bezels of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam), is really resourceful and academically satisfying. It is one book that expresses Ibn Arabi's supercomplicated philosophy in the clearest possible way. I particularly like the re-arrangement of the concept according to the modern forms of thinking. (less)
Dina Kaidir
Oct 18, 2010rated it really liked it
This book is such a wonderful reference book, especially for all of my classes this semester. Izutsu's expression is crisp and crystal clear. I love it! (even if it is a text book) :)

Definitely one that I will be returning to throughout the semester.
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Tarek Naga
Jul 12, 2013rated it it was amazing
A masterpiece of research and innerstanding of two of the world greatest metaphysical traditions ...
Yazdanpanah Askari
Sep 08, 2021rated it did not like it  ·  review of another edition
تِ ( فضیلت ) نیروی حیات
ص 357 و ص 372
نیز نک به دِه
https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AF%...
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Alfredo J.
Jun 09, 2019rated it it was amazing
کتابی بسیار غنی. توضیح و تفسیر عرفان ابن عربی و تائوئیسم (دائو). کتابی که آدم رو عمیقاً به فکر فرو میبره.
Abbas Mehrabian
This books is on Islamic philosophy of Ibn Arabi and its connection with Daoism. A bit too technical for me.
Mohammad
Dec 05, 2017rated it really liked it
what a book.

apart from colorful flow of creativity in ibn arabi's philosophy, and mystical foreign tongue in that of lao tzu, you get a nice thematic explanation of core ideas of sufism and taoism.

this could be called major themes of bezels of wisdom and tao te ching.
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Bimo Pratama
Jan 29, 2019rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Ibnu Arabi, the son of Plato. It is absolutely necessary to know that Toshihiko ijutsu was quite successful in summarizing ibn Arabi's thoughts from fusus al hikam and futuhat al makiyyanya, which are very complex. I think that before reading other ibn Arabi books, this book is suitable as an introduction.
Taimur
Aug 22, 2013rated it it was amazing
you do not find this book. this book finds you.
a mind fuck that will last a lifetime or more
Imdad Robbani
Jan 22, 2011rated it it was amazing
What I love from this book is its methodological clarity and in that it makes you annihilated in reading it.
Varan
Jun 28, 2009rated it it was amazing
it is the best book I have read about Ibn-e- Arabi.
Sherwin
Aug 12, 2007added it
Recommends it for: mysticism researchers
Shelves: biologyphilosophy
Lao Tse vs. Ibne Arabi! A really deep survey on comparative philosophy of Islamic Sufism/ chinese traditional Taoism.
Josh
Jul 31, 2021is currently reading it  ·  review of another edition
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Nobody
Apr 04, 2021rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
An astonishing book for sure, I recommend this book to everyone who like me don't know a lot of technical words concerning philosophy. it explains everything beautifully. (less)
Patrick
Mar 28, 2012rated it liked it
Years ago, in my youth, I stole this book from a library, thinking that it might give me some great insight into the Way. Fortunately, like many other books I will one day burn, it was a stepping stone, and is a great investigation of a variety of principles concerning the Way in both Daoist and Sufist thought. 
Though I strayed over some areas, as I am now concerned primarily with finding inaccuracies within mystic traditions that promote the idea of separation or annihilation as positive, optimal or unattainable states (though I agree that such states are in a sense unattainable), in terms of analyzing and explaining the works of these three existentialist thinkers Izutsu does a good, albeit dry job. 
He really lacks a spark of life and this academic work reflects his sense of purpose, rather than a sense of awe and grandeur. So, if you are interested in starting to grasp the fundamentals of some of the aspects of eastern thought, this is a good place to start. He dissection is good, though very focused and repetitive, and as always it is not good to accept what is fed to you. I'd use this book to get a good sense of things and then go back to the primary texts themselves to interpret as you will. More or less this is a book for hardcore studiers and is full of things like being, non-being, no-non-being, absolute Absolute, and so on. Don't get bogged down. Be light like a feather on the back of the great bird DaPeng. (less)