A Dialogue of Civilizations: Gulen’s Islamic Ideals and Humanistic Discourse

Author: B. Jill Carroll ISBN:  9781597841108       B. Jill Carroll, a lecturer in humanities and religious studies at Houston’s Rice University, undertakes the enterprise of creating meaningful dialogues between some of the most celebrated scholars of human history. In her latest book A Dialogue of Civilizations (The Light Inc, New Jersey, 2007), Carroll selects five major themes of philosophical discussion and brings them up in the light of the teachings of six influential thinkers. The book relates the concepts of morality, freedom, human ideal, education, and responsibility as are conceived by scholars like Kant, Confucius, J.S. Mill, Plato, Sartre, and the contemporary Turkish intellectual Fethullah Gulen.   Though a short book of 128 pages, Carroll’s work is significant both in its theoretical scope as well as in practical implications for society and humanity. Besides exemplifying the need for serious and purposeful reflection, the author shows how Gulen’s present teachings resonate along the same strings as of great minds from the past. By pointing to the harmony of ideas that spring in the minds of sages from different cultures and times, Carroll shows the readers her own logical approach toward interfaith dialogue. Such works purports the initiation of a new age of tolerance and peaceful co-existence.   A Dialogue of Civilizations is rich in healthy food for thought and by no means is for the nerd bookworm. The author has provided simple and easy-to-catch context to all the passages coated from the works of the philosophers that she gets into a dialogue. Foreign words used in quotations are translated and an index is provided at the book’s end to catch with any theme/concept discussed in the book. Each chapter is beautifully written, stands on its own, and answers some very important questions about human existence. In fact, it is just the right kind of book to set up the enjoyable discovery of life’s purpose and philosophy.   The above review was contributed by: Ernest Dempsey,  pen name of Karim Khan from Pakistan. Karime is a Research Associate in Geology who writes fiction, nonfiction, and book reviews. To read more of Karim's Review CLICK HERE

Article 2768 Created 6-12-2007 Modified 6-12-2007 Author ngoldman

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