Questions and answers from two great philosophers Why is laughter contagious? Why do mountains exist? Why do we long for the past, even if it is scarred by suffering? Spanning a vast array of subjects that range from the philosophical to the theological, from the philological to the scientific, The Philosopher Responds is the record of a set of questions put by the litterateur Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi to the philosopher and historian Abu 'Ali Miskawayh. Both figures were foremost contributors to the remarkable flowering of cultural and intellectual life that took place in the Islamic world during the reign of the Buyid dynasty in the fourth/tenth century. The correspondence between al-Tawhidi and Miskawayh holds a mirror to many of the debates of the time and reflects the spirit of rationalistic inquiry that animated their era. It also provides insight into the intellectual outlooks of two thinkers who were divided as much by their distinctive temperaments as by the very different trajectories of their professional careers. Alternately whimsical and tragic, trivial and profound, al-Tawhidi's questions provoke an interaction as interesting in its spiritedness as in its content. An English-only edition.

Arab literature is full of entertainment books. Al Imtaa wal Mu'anasah by Abi Hayyan al Tawhidi is one of these books. In this edition, Vol. I, we provide the first twenty nights about several subjects concern people who want comedy and science. Wwe are proud to introduce in the west in the process of Ihyaa al Turath al Arabi fil Mahjar (Revival of Arab Heritage in Diaspora) to serve first, second and third Arab young generations supported by the Arab American Encyclopedia.AAE. The content of this book includes: The publisher and managing editor Introduction, then summary of the book, and the author introduction, in addition to the nights 1 to 20. The managing editor is a well known Arab American scholar, scientist, and writer. In this book you may say that the author continues his line of thought in bringing Arab literature in the process of Ihyaa al Turath al Arabi fil Mahjar. Dr. Yahya resides in Michigan, USA. Dr. Yahya has four children and ten grandchildren.