The Cognitive Therapy of Abū Bakr al-Rāzī’s al-Ṭibb al-Rūḥānī

This chapter is a theoretical exploration of al-Ṭibb al-Rūḥānī (“Spiritual Medicine”) by Abū Bakr al-Rāzī (d. 313/925), analysing the book’s overarching argument. It aims to demonstrate that al-Rāzī’s work constitutes a sustained effort to elaborate and defend three interconnected claims. Firstly, it posits that vice and psychic ailment stem from epistemic deficiencies, where individuals may lack a complete understanding of what is good or the consequences of their actions. Secondly, it asserts the causal efficacy of reason and moral understanding in providing incentives for individuals to believe what is right and act accordingly. Lastly, on the basis of the first two claims, al-Rāzī contends that possessing the right knowledge, under the guidance of reason, is sufficient to set one on the path of virtue and psychic well-being. By investigating these aspects, this chapter seeks to provide an understanding of al-Rāzī’s significant contribution to the field of philosophical ethics and psychological therapy. This chapter begins with a brief background on al-Rāzī’s life, times, and works, contextualising him within the philosophical tradition. It then moves on to discuss the key issues that reflect the book’s overarching argument.

Other Information

Published in: Key Classical Works on Islamic Ethics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
See chapter on publisher's website: https://dx.doi.org/10.1163/9789004459472_006