Abstract
Abstract The power of the imagination (al-khayāl) is decisive to the constitution of Abū Naṣr al-Fārābī’s virtuous city. The imagination enables the citizens of the virtuous city to effectively distinguish between certain images as a necessary means to attaining happiness. The imagination is cultivated through a regimen of civic education which prepares citizens to engage in political deliberation. The realization of the virtuous city is determined by the exercise of the imagination beginning with the philosopher-ruler-imām who receives and translates intelligibles (ma‘qūlāt) from the Active Intellect into images (muḥākāt) communicated to the political community. In what follows, we shall seek to demonstrate how the power of the imagination contributes to al-Fārābī’s cosmopolitical imaginary and the inception of his cosmopolitanism.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call