Sarah Al-Taher

Research project

Das Konzept des Aufstiegs in der arabisch-islamischen Philosophie und seine Verbindung zur christlichen Philosophie als Brücke für einen interreligiösen und interkulturellen Dialog 
(The concept of ascent in Arabic-Islamic philosophy and its connection to Christian Philosophy as a bridge for interreligious and intercultural dialogue)

The ascent of man is a central topos in both Arabic-Islamic and Christian Philosophy. In both traditions, ascent - whether as an intellectual, spiritual or moral path - plays a decisive role in the question of what man is and how he can realise his potential. By analysing ascent, it is therefore possible to work out the basic anthropological understanding of the respective culture or philosophical tradition as well as the underlying values of a society. In view of the importance of the concept of ascent, a comparative analysis of the concepts of ascent in the Christian tradition on the one hand and the Arab-Islamic tradition on the other creates the basis for an interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

In the first step, I will analyse the concept of ascension in Arabic Philosophy, including sources that have not been considered or translated so far. Firstly, this will expand the existing narrative of the development of Arabic philosophy, and secondly, it will provide a conceptual examination of the ethical, anthropological and metaphysical foundations of Arabic philosophy.

This creates the basis for establishing a comparative reference to Christian Philosophy in a second step. In this way, the project can promote an interreligious and intercultural dialogue. This dialogue should not only take place on an academic level, but also have an impact on society through various formats, which clearly expresses the topicality and social relevance of the project.

The project will answer the following questions:

• How is the ethical and intellectual rise of man portrayed in Arabic-Islamic Philosophy?

• What impact and relevance can emphasising the significance of the ethical and anthropological dimension of ascent in the Arab-Islamic tradition have for the self-perception and perception of Arab culture today?

• What parallels and differences exist between Arab-Islamic and Christian Philosophy with regard to the Ascension? Anthropological, ethical and metaphysical aspects will be analysed.

• How can the comparison of ascension thinking serve as a platform for interreligious and intercultural dialogue?