Part of the "Great Medieval Thinkers" series, this book focuses on an Islamic philosopher. It offers an introduction to the thought of the philosopher, Al-Kindi (died roughly 870 AD). It surveys what is known of Al-Kindi's life, examines his thought on a range of topics, and considers the relationship of Al-Kindi's work to his Greek sources.

"Al-Kind=i is a singularly important figure in the history of Western philosophy. Largely responsible for the revival of Greek philosophy, this time in Arabic translation, he inaugurates the grand tradition of medieval philosophy just like Descartes does the modern. Adamson's book is the first monograph on the entire philosophical thought of al-Kind? and it is done expertly, paying full attention not only to the historical context of al-Kind=i ideas but also to their philosophical cohesion and sophistication. Adamson has a very light and engaging style in his expository writing which makes his explanation of philosophical arguments easy to follow and exciting. A book that is as enjoyable for the undergraduate as it is reliable for the professional, it places al-Kind=i and all of Arabic philosophy squarely within the history of Western philosophy." --Dimitri Gutas, Professor of Arabic and Graeco-Arabic studies, Yale University "Al-Kind=i is a singularly important figure in the history of Western philosophy. Largely responsible for the revival of Greek philosophy, this time in Arabic translation, he inaugurates the grand tradition of medieval philosophy just like Descartes does the modern. Adamson's book is the first monograph on the entire philosophical thought of al-Kind? and it is done expertly, paying full attention not only to the historical context of al-Kind=i ideas but also to their philosophical cohesion and sophistication. Adamson has a very light and engaging style in his expository writing which makes his explanation of philosophical arguments easy to follow and exciting. A book that is as enjoyable for the undergraduate as it is reliable for the professional, it places al-Kind=i and all of Arabic philosophy squarely within the history of Western philosophy." --Dimitri Gutas, Professor of Arabic and Graeco-Arabic studies, Yale University

Peter Adamson is a Reader in Philosophy at King's College in London. He is the author of The Arabic Plotinus: A Philosophical Study of the Theology of Aristotle and with Richard C. Taylor a co-editor of The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy.