Rebecca Nicastri's main interests lie in the intellectual history of Islamic philosophy and mystical traditions, with particular attention to the metaphysical doctrines elaborated within the classical and early modern periods of Islamic thought. She is particularly drawn to the intellectual developments that took place within the vibrant milieu of Safavid Persia, given the rich confluence of diverse strands, including the Peripatetic and Neoplatonic traditions, as well as the Illuminationist and Akbarian schools. Starting from a theoretical understanding of the ideas elaborated by the authors, she aims to explore their applicability within a contemporary context, thereby adopting an approach that respects the original historical context of the texts while highlighting the enduring relevance of the issues addressed.

More information about Rebecca Nicastri

Fields of interest

• Islamic Philosophy
• Islamic Mysticism (Sufism)
• Metaphysics

Research

My current research investigates the theme of the ontological realm of the "Imaginal" (‘ālam al-mithāl) in the thought of Mullā Ṣadrā Shīrāzī (d. c. 1636), with particular attention to the epistemological role of this intermediary level of reality, both for the "descent of Divine Signs" as well as within the "ascending path" of the human soul.

Curriculum vitae

After a Bachelor's degree in Humanities at the University of Milan, I obtained my Master's degree in History and Oriental Studies at the University of Bologna. Before arriving in Leiden, I also spent a few months in Morocco studying Arabic.

I am currently a Research Assistant for Taḥqīq: Journal of Islamic Thought and History, and an Associate Editor of the Leiden Arabic Humanities Blog.