Ibn Rushd and the Harmony of Religion and Philosophy

Ibn Rushd, long recognized as an important contributor to Western philosophy, was at the same time the loser in the debate between religion and philosophy in the Islamic world. There is evidence, however, that this 12th-century philosopher is beginning to play a larger role among 21st -century liberal Muslims. The present essay, by a non-specialist, offers a contextualized reading of what is perhaps Ibn Rushd's most accessible and best known treatise, in order to point to the philosopher's continuing relevance