4th and 11th March 2008

Discussion:

• The underlying metaphysical and ontological framework behind Ghazali’s ethical theory.

• The efficacy of the general method of character and personality reform and development advanced by Ghazali.

• The relationships, if any, between modern psycho-analytic theory and technologies and Ghazali’s work.

• Importance and merits and drawbacks of comprehensive  systems such as that proposed by Ghazali.

Required reading: Book XXII of Ihyaa Uloom ul-Deen, 'Disciplining the Self' by Imam Al-Ghazali

An online abridged translation is available here http://www.ghazali.org/ihya/english/ihya-vol3.htm (look under Riazat).

Please read the first few chapters, especially Chapters 1, 3 and 4.