Humanities Homework Help

Writing Instructions: Answer each of the questions below writing about

6-8 pages in total (double-spaced, 12pt font). Be as complete and concise as

possible. Do not preface your answers with superfluous introductory remarks:

in each of your responses, simply answer the exact question (or questions)

asked.

1. What, according to Al-F ̄ar ̄ab ̄ı, is a religion? How do religions relate to

philosophies?

2. What, according to Al-F ̄ar ̄ab ̄ı, is a ‘virtuous religion’? How, on his

view, do ‘virtuous religions’ differ from religions that are ‘ignorant’,

‘errant’, and ‘deceptive’? Why does Al-F ̄ar ̄ab ̄ı deny that there can

only be one ‘virtuous religion’?

3. Al-F ̄ar ̄ab ̄ı maintains that the best kind of philosophy would exclusively

employ demonstrative methods of instruction. What political and epis-

temological significance does F ̄ar ̄ab ̄ı attach to religions’ use of poetical

and rhetorical methods of instruction?