{"product_id":"sufism-and-taoism-a-comparative-study-of-key-philosophical-concepts-9780520052642","title":"Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this deeply learned work  Toshihiko Izutsu compares the metaphysical and mystical thought-systems of Sufism and Taoism and discovers that  although historically unrelated  the two share features and patterns which prove fruitful for a transhistorical dialogue. His original and suggestive approach opens new doors in the study of comparative philosophy and mysticism.  Izutsu begins with Ibn Arabi  analyzing and isolating the major ontological concepts of this most challenging of Islamic thinkers. Then  in the second part of the book  Izutsu turns his attention to an analysis of parallel concepts of two great Taoist thinkers  Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu. Only after laying bare the fundamental structure of each world view does Izutsu embark  in the final section of the book  upon a comparative analysis. Only thus  he argues  can he be sure to avoid easy and superficial comparisons. Izutsu maintains that both the Sufi and Taoist world views are based on two pivotsthe Absolute Man and the Perfect Manwith a whole system of oncological thought being developed between these two pivots. Izutsu discusses similarities in these ontological systems and advances the hypothesis that certain patterns of mystical and metaphysical thought may be shared even by systems with no apparent historical connection.  This second edition of Sufism and Taoism is the first published in the United States. The original edition  published in English and in Japan  was prized by the few English-speaking scholars who knew of it as a model in the field of comparative philosophy. Making available in English much new material on both sides of its comparison  Sufism and Taoism richly fulfills Izutsus motivating desire \"to open a new vista in the domain of comparative philosophy.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45651859767349,"sku":"ByrdShop_0520052641","price":74.29,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780520052642.jpg?v=1781842530","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/sufism-and-taoism-a-comparative-study-of-key-philosophical-concepts-9780520052642","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}