Medieval Philosophical Discourse and Muslim-Christian Dialogue

Abstract

As pluralistic societies in the West become the nonn and the "globalvillage" becomes a reality, ecumenical dialogues gain prominence.Ecumenical dialogues, which, like many other discussions, first beganamong scholars as an exclusively academic activity, now take place inchurches, corrununities, and other sociopolitical organizations. In theUnited States, in particular, attempts are being made to introduce educationalcurricula that are sensitive to the culture and religious orientations ofminorities.The very feasibility of a Christian-Muslim dialogue should be calledinto question. Can the Islamic world enter into a dialogue with the secularWest? Any dialogue or discourse requires a corrunon language, a sharedworldview, and some basic agreement on some of the fundamental axiomsaround which a worldview is formed. I fear that the Islamic world and theWest no longer have such a common language.In the present discussion, I will offer an analysis and interpretation ofMuslim-Christian dialogue that calls for a reflection on the readiness ofMuslims to have a meaningful dialogue with the West. I argue that the necessarycondition for a meaningful dialogue between traditional Islam andthe secular West does not exist and, therefore, that any attempt to do so atthis time either will not succeed or will become a superficial survey of whatwe have in common, such as the Ten Commandments. To elucidate, I willfirst offer a model of a successful dialogue between Muslims and Christiansbased on the medieval philosophical dialogue between Muslim and Christianphilosophers. I will then apply the conclusions drawn from this modelto contemporary attempts at such ecumenical dialogues.Any student of medieval philosophy can observe two distinct periodsin the history of medieval philosophy, defined here as early and later,each of which has distinct characteristics. The early period belongs to theChurch fathers who laid the groundwork for Christian philosophical andtheological frameworks. Early Christian philosophical writings of suchfigures as Augustine, Boethius, John Scotus, St. Anselm, Peter Abaillard,and others were responses to specific questions of an intellectual nature ...