The Inconsistency–or Incoherence–of the Philosophers

work by al-Ghazālī

Also known as: “Tahāfut al-falāsifah”

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June 29, 2026

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The Inconsistency—or Incoherence—of the Philosophers is a significant work by the Muslim theologian and mystic al-Ghazālī. In this treatise, al-Ghazālī critically examined and refuted the philosophical ideas of thinkers like Avicenna and al-Fārābī, who were influenced by Neoplatonist and Aristotelian thought. He argued that certain philosophical doctrines contradicted fundamental Islamic teachings. Al-Ghazālī's critique aimed to defend Islam against philosophical reasoning that he believed led to conclusions contrary to religious truth. This work is considered a pivotal text in the history of Islamic philosophy and theology, highlighting the tension between rational inquiry and religious doctrine.1234

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al-Ghazālī
…in the Tahāfut al-falāsifah (The Inconsistency—or Incoherence—of the Philosophers), in which he defended Islam against such philosophers as Avicenna who sought to demonstrate certain speculative views contrary to accepted Islamic teaching. (See Islamic philosophy for more on these philosophers.) In preparation for this major treatise, he published an objective…
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…in the Tahāfut al-falāsifah (The Inconsistency—or Incoherence—of the Philosophers), in which he defended Islam against such philosophers as Avicenna who sought to demonstrate certain speculative views contrary to accepted Islamic teaching. (See Islamic philosophy for more on these philosophers.) In preparation for this major treatise, he published an objective…
Read More

Judaism
Averroists
…on the Tahāfut al-falāsifah (“The Inconsistencies of the Philosophers”), an exposition of Avicenna’s doctrine written by the Muslim philosopher al-Ghazālī (1058–1111). Albalag’s assertion that both the teachings of the Bible and the truths demonstrated by reason must be believed even if they are contradictory raises the possibility that some…
Read More
…on the Tahāfut al-falāsifah (“The Inconsistencies of the Philosophers”), an exposition of Avicenna’s doctrine written by the Muslim philosopher al-Ghazālī (1058–1111). Albalag’s assertion that both the teachings of the Bible and the truths demonstrated by reason must be believed even if they are contradictory raises the possibility that some…
Read More