The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy (2015) — Occult Philosophy

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The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy (2015)

Name: The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy (2015)
Price: 169.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781137399465

✍️ Saif, Liana

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$169.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A scholarly look at Arabic astrological theories shaping early modern occult philosophy.

Key Themes

Arabic astrological theories Early modern occult philosophy Aristotelian magical efficacy

Literary Context

The book sits at the intersection of medieval Islamic magic and early modern European occultism. It covers the period from the twelfth through the seventeenth centuries, focusing on the exchange of ideas between the Middle East and Europe regarding mysticism and astrology.

Saif, Liana

📚 all books by this author (2) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Frances Yates · Peter Partner · Giovanni Pico della Mirandola · The Corpus Hermeticum

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Palgrave MacMillan 📅 2015 📖 277 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781137399465

Fun Fact

Liana Saif’s work is an indispensable contribution to the history of occult philosophy, meticulously charting a path rarely explored. It excels at revealing the sophisticated intellectual underpinnings of medieval Arabic magic and astrology, integrating them seamlessly into the Western tradition. While not for those seeking a grimoire or light reading, it’s essential for scholars and serious students of esotericism, offering a rigorous, paradigm-shifting perspective on cross-cultural knowledge transfer and the definition of natural magic.

📝 Description: The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy (2015)

Liana Saif examines how medieval Arabic astrological and magical theories shaped early modern occult philosophy. She argues that these traditions offered naturalistic explanations for astral influences and magical efficacy rooted in Aristotelian concepts. The work traces this intellectual lineage from the twelfth century through the early modern period, highlighting key figures such as Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi, Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon, Marsilio Ficino, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, and John Dee. The book is organized into eight chapters plus an introduction and conclusion. Saif begins with Arabic theories of astral influences and magic, specifically analyzing the De radiis and the Picatrix. She then explores their reception in the twelfth century before moving to thirteenth-century perspectives on magic. The later chapters focus on early modern astral magic, celestial souls, and cosmic daemons. This structure allows for a detailed examination of how esoteric ideas moved between Islamic and Western worlds. This volume suits scholars of history, mysticism, and astrology who seek concrete textual analysis over general overviews. It may not appeal to readers looking for practical magical instructions or those uninterested in academic historical methodology. Saif brings her background as a British Academy postdoctoral fellow at Oxford's Oriental Institute to this study of Western and Islamic occult thought.

📑 What's inside

Introduction
1. Arabic Theories of Astral Influences: Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi
2. Arabic Theories of Astral Magic: The De radiis and the Picatrix
3. Textual and Intellectual Reception of Arabic Astral Theories in the Twelfth Century
4. Magic in the Thirteenth Century: Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas and Roger Bacon
5. Early Modern Astral Magic: Marsilio Ficino
6. True Magic and Astrology of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola
7. The Magic and Astrology of John Dee
8. Celestial Souls and Cosmic Daemons
Conclusion

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This groundbreaking study meticulously traces the profound impact of medieval Arabic intellectual traditions on early modern Western occult philosophy. It reveals how Islamic scholarship provided a sophisticated, naturalistic lens rooted in Aristotelian principles to understand astral influences. While it challenges conventional narratives effectively, it is dense academic prose that may alienate casual readers seeking accessible mysticism or practical magical instruction. It does not suit those preferring mythic storytelling over historical analysis. However, for serious students of esotericism, it offers a vital, fresh perspective on the foundations of Western thought, illustrating a deep exchange often ignored in popular histories.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars of esoteric history and those fascinated by the transmission of ideas across cultures will find this text indispensable. It offers a rigorous re-evaluation of how Western occult thought was fundamentally shaped by Arabic intellectual traditions. Readers seeking to understand the sophisticated, naturalistic lens through which astral influences were viewed will appreciate the detailed tracing of astrological and magical theories. This book is essential for anyone wishing to move beyond conventional narratives and grasp the deep cross-cultural exchange that redefined esoteric foundations across continents and centuries.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're fascinated by hidden intellectual currents, seek to understand the philosophical underpinnings of magic, or wish to explore the profound cross-cultural fertilization between Islamic and Western thought, this meticulously researched volume offers essential insights into early modern occult…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This groundbreaking study meticulously traces the profound impact of medieval Arabic intellectual traditions on early modern Western occult philosophy. It reveals how Islamic scholarship provided a sophisticated, naturalistic lens rooted in Aristotelian principles to understand astral influences. While it challenges conventional narratives effectively, it is dense academic prose that may alienate casual readers seeking accessible mysticism or practical magical instruction. It does not suit those preferring mythic storytelling over historical analysis. However, for serious students of esotericism, it offers a vital, fresh perspective on the foundations of Western thought, illustrating a deep exchange often ignored in popular histories.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it primarily focuses on the historical development of occult philosophy in the early modern period, specifically its roots in medieval Arabic scholarship. It's an academic exploration, not a practical guide to contemporary magical practices.

While the book discusses Arabic texts, it is written in English and designed to be accessible to readers without knowledge of Arabic. Key terms and concepts are thoroughly explained within the text for clarity.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Arabic-Western Intellectual Exchange

Explores the significant, often understated, flow of knowledge from the Islamic world to early modern Europe. It highlights how Arabic texts on astrology and magic were not merely translated but actively integrated, becoming foundational elements in Western esoteric thought, demonstrating a rich, interconnected intellectual history.

Naturalistic Magic & Astrology

The book redefines magic and astrology as naturalistic sciences within an Aristotelian framework. It argues that Arabic scholars provided explanations for astral influences and ritual efficacy based on observable principles, moving away from purely supernatural interpretations and grounding esoteric practices in a philosophical understanding of the cosmos.

Redefining Occult Philosophy

By showcasing the robust, scientific methodologies employed by Arabic thinkers in their approach to the occult, the work prompts a re-evaluation of early modern Western occultism. It argues that these practices were considered sophisticated philosophical inquiries, not merely superstitious beliefs, enriching our understanding of their historical context.

📜 Historical context

This work illuminates the vital role of Islamic Golden Age thinkers in preserving and advancing ancient wisdom, which fueled the European Renaissance. It specifically highlights the transmission of sophisticated Arabic astrological and magical theories, demonstrating how their interpretations of Aristotle profoundly shaped the intellectual landscape of early modern Western esotericism and early science.

📚 Glossary

Naturalistic Magic
Astral Influences
Aristotelian Notions

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does understanding the 'scientific' or naturalistic basis of historical magic, as presented in this book, change your perception of its practitioners and their worldviews?
What implications does the extensive Arabic influence on Western esotericism have for our understanding of intellectual history and the narratives of cultural exchange between East and West?
In what ways might an Aristotelian, naturalistic view of the cosmos, as interpreted by medieval Arabic scholars, inform or challenge contemporary spiritual or magical practices and philosophies?