Closereads: Al-Kindi's "Device for Dispelling Sorrows" (Part One)

About this video

• Video Title: Closereads: Al-Kindi's "Device for Dispelling Sorrows" (Part One)
• Channel: The Partially Examined Life
• Speakers: Mark, Wes
• Duration: 01:01:53

Overview

This podcast episode is the first part of a series on Al-Kindi's "Device for Dispelling Sorrows." Mark and Wes discuss the philosophical context of Al-Kindi, who predates many well-known Islamic philosophers, and explore his treatise's connection to Stoicism and virtue ethics. They analyze Al-Kindi's definition of sorrow as psychological pain resulting from loss or unfulfilled desires, and his argument that true happiness and freedom from sorrow can be achieved by focusing on the stable, unchanging realm of the intellect rather than the transient material world. The discussion also touches on Aristotelian and Platonic ideas about happiness and the nature of love and desire.

Key takeaways

• Al-Kindi's Philosophical Significance: Al-Kindi was an important early Islamic philosopher who harmonized Greek philosophy with Islamic thought, preceding figures like Avicenna and Al-Ghazali.
• Virtue Ethics and Stoicism: The text aligns with virtue ethics and shows influences of Stoic philosophy, suggesting that managing one's emotional responses to external events is key to well-being.
• Definition of Sorrow: Sorrow is defined as psychological pain arising from the loss of something loved or the absence of something desired.
• The Intellectual vs. The Sensible World: Al-Kindi argues that true contentment comes from focusing on the eternal and unchanging world of the intellect, as the material world of becoming and corruption is inherently transient and a source of sorrow.
• Managing Desires and Expectations: To avoid sorrow, one should moderate desires, focus on what is accessible and attainable, and avoid excessive attachment to transient possessions or experiences.
• Habituation as a Path to Happiness: The text suggests that by consistently practicing certain virtuous habits and adjusting one's mindset, one can train oneself to be content and happy, regardless of external circumstances.