A New Reading of the Intellectual Tradition of Muslim Philosophers in Light of the Correlation between Philosophy and Theosophy

The concepts of theosophy and philosophy are among the most frequent concepts used in the works of Muslim philosophers. The position and relationship between the concepts of theosophy and philosophy in philosophical works have not been clearly explained, and in some cases these two concepts have been used interchangeably. Different interpretations of theosophy and philosophy and the lack of attention to the distinction between philosophy and theosophy in the works of Muslim philosophers have led to problems and ambiguities. Different interpretations can be made of the definitions of theosophy and philosophy, which do not coincide and will entail different epistemological implications. In this article, by using a descriptive-analytical method, through a critique and examination of the relationship between the concepts of theosophy and philosophy and with regard to the intellectual potentials and possibilities hidden in Muslim philosophers' thought, an attempt is made to present a new explanation of the relationship between the meaning of philosophy and theosophy, whereby the borders between philosophy and theosophy are specified and the ambiguities and challenges are resolved. Accordingly, theosophy is the last station of reasoning in the field of philosophy, where the philosopher enters the field of theosophy by rationally accepting God and adhering to its requirements- both epistemological and practical. In other words, according to Muslim philosophers, it can be said that every man of theosophy is a philosopher, but not every philosopher is a man of theosophy. Therefore, the intellectual tradition of Muslim philosophers begins with philosophy and in the course of its development enters the field of theosophy.