The Incoherence of the Incoherence

The "Incoherence of the Incoherence" (Tahāfut al-tahāfut) is a philosophical work by Averroës (Ibn Rushd) written in the 12th century. This work serves as a defense of philosophy against the critiques of the theologian al-Ghazālī in his book "The Incoherence of the Philosophers".1

Averroës, a judge by profession, argued that al-Ghazālī misrepresented the philosophers' positions and lacked the competence to critique them effectively. He believed that philosophy and Islamic law, when properly understood, are not in conflict. Averroës sought to reconcile philosophical reasoning with Islamic principles, asserting that theology should remain under the control of philosophy and divine law. His work was influential in medieval and Renaissance European thought.12