We're joined by professor and author Sami Al Daghistani to explore the life and thought of Al-Ghazali, a prominent figure in Islamic intellectual history. We delve into Al-Ghazali's multifaceted contributions to Islamic law, philosophy, and theology, highlighting his major works, such as "The Revival of Religious Sciences" and "Deliverance from Error and the Beginning of Guidance." We examine his ethical system of economic thought, existential crises, and his impact on modern economic theory, ethics, and the philosophical landscape. The conversation also touches upon the relevance of Al-Ghazali's ideas in today's global economy and ethical contexts.
We're joined by professor and author Sami Al Daghistani to explore the life and thought of Al-Ghazali, a prominent figure in Islamic intellectual history. We delve into Al-Ghazali's multifaceted contributions to Islamic law, philosophy, and theology, highlighting his major works, such as "The Revival of Religious Sciences" and "Deliverance from Error and the Beginning of Guidance." We examine his ethical system of economic thought, existential crises, and his impact on modern economic theory, ethics, and the philosophical landscape. The conversation also touches upon the relevance of Al-Ghazali's ideas in today's global economy and ethical contexts.
01:00 Introduction
01:28 Who Was Al-Ghazali?
04:04 Al-Ghazali's Journey and Spiritual Crisis
07:33 Al-Ghazali's Intellectual Contributions and Influence
09:59 The Philosophical Environment of Al-Ghazali's Time
15:12 Al-Ghazali's Ethical Economics and Pursuit of Happiness
29:24 Al-Ghazali's Views on Wealth and Economic Engagement
30:49 Active Engagement in Society and Wealth
31:44 Critiques of Materialism and Balance
32:56 Ethical Economics and Wealth Distribution
35:04 Islamic Perspectives on Capitalism and Socialism
39:02 Modern Islamic Economics and Finance
43:24 Connections to Western Philosophers
46:52 Historical Contributions and Misconceptions
51:47 Relevance of Classical Thinkers Today
01:00:09 Conclusion and Contact Information
Sami Al Daghistani is Associate Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Islamic Studies at Lund University, Associate Faculty at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, and Research Scholar at Columbia University’s Middle East Institute. His research explores intersections of Islamic economics, ethics, law, and the environment through interdisciplinary and historical approaches. He is the author of The Making of Islamic Economic Thought (Cambridge, 2022) and Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī’s Ethical Teachings (Anthem, 2021), among other works. Sami holds a PhD from Leiden University and previously held fellowships in Oslo and New York.