The Modern Historiography of Byzantine and Islamic Philosophy: A Comparison

The article examines parallel developments in the study of Byzantine and medieval Islamic philosophy and identifies trends in modern Western thought that led to similar assessments. Debates on "faith and reason" and secularism as a social and political ideal have exerted major influence on both fields of study. However, Islamic philosophy has been granted a role in shaping modern Western philosophy, while Byzantine philosophy has not. The article argues that the concurrent examination of Byzantine and Islamic philosophy can help elucidate the modern concerns that drive the assessment of both and improve our understanding of their history and interaction during the medieval period.