Related Books: Comparative Religion, Tradition and Religion Today
Related Audio/Video: Nasr, Knowledge and the Sacred

Synopsis

"Nasr, the first Muslim invited to deliver the Gifford Lectures at theUniversity of Edinburgh, has written {this} . . . book from those lectures."(Libr J) Index.

Booknews  
Nasr (Islamic studies, George Washington U.), in a series of ten lectures, argues that, unlike in the West, where scientific thought has been secularized, in the East, knowledge and religious experience have remained unified. Drawing from Buddhist, Hindu, Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions, he finds in each the idea of perennial wisdom as a philosophical basis for such unity. Paperback edition ($10.95) not seen. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
 
Commonweal  
{Nasr's} position will doubtless be a continuing focus of debate, for it eloquently represents an emerging movement which radically challenges most contemporary science, philosophy, and religion. That position may be called neo-traditionalism. . . . {It is presented} with intellectual brilliance and depth, making a cogent case for its contemporary relevance. His is unquestionably a mind of the highest caliber. Yet some readers will be disturbed by a partisan flavor in the utterances of neo-traditionalism which even as wide-minded a book as Nasr's does not entirely avoid. Too often neo-traditionalism seems more to accuse than to engage in dialogue. . . . It would be tragic if neo-traditionalism should allow itself to become a mere intellectual cult, for what it has to say, as the bulk of Nasr's splendid book demonstrates, is desperately important and far larger than the school's cultic aspects.

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