Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to attempt an exegetical work within the Sufi tradition about the ego, expose and critically examine such Sufi principals and teachings in this ethical tradition with a special focus on the ego, and to draw resemblances between Sufism and virtue ethics. The main objective of the thesis is to reveal the richness of the Sufi tradition that holds exceptional accounts on morality and egoism. The thesis contains three main chapters. The first chapter is on Virtue Ethics, where significant conceptual distinctions are presented concerning the ethical framework. As for the second chapter, it is dedicated to explore the world of Sufism and closely examine the ego using Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī’s (d. 505/1111) magnum opus Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn (The Revival of Religious Sciences) as the primary reference for this work. Before the summarizing conclusion of the thesis, the third chapter navigates first from the exhaustive focus on the ego towards exploring key views of morality in Sufism, ending the chapter with identifying the common links between Sufism and virtue ethics.

Department

Philosophy Department

Degree Name

MA in Philosophy

Graduation Date

Spring 5-20-2020

Submission Date

May 2020

First Advisor

Hassan, Patrick

Second Advisor

NA

Third Advisor

NA

Committee Member 1

Stelzer, Steffen

Committee Member 2

Weiss, Robin

Committee Member 3

NA

Extent

86 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Library of Congress Subject Heading 1

NA

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

Streaming Media

Comments

NA

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