Images:
(left) Isaac Newton with his prism
(right) Yunus Emre, Turkish mystical folk-poet (statue in Istanbul)

Description

This talk will consider the vital role of the Creative Imagination in Natural Science and in the Mystical Philosophy of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi..

Ibn Arabi is regarded ‘As the greatest Muslim theoretician of the Imagination.’  (William C. Chittick).  

And Einstein said: ‘Imagination is more important than Knowledge.’  

We shall explore these ideas in relation to the nature of that knowledge whose foundation expresses itself as the very core of human potential, inspiration and creativity.

This is an updated and revised version of a talk delivered originally at Chisholme House, Scotland in  2017.

Peter Coates is the author of “Ibn ‘Arabi and Modern Thought” (2002), the first book to systematically examine modern thought in the light of the universal vision of Ibn ‘Arabi. He was Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Lincoln, where he taught courses in the philosophy of psychology. He has been studying the works of Ibn ‘Arabi for 40 years.

The October Gallery
24 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3AL

Refreshments provided