Shams Inati

A recognized expert in Islamic philosophy and theology, Professor Shams Inati specializes in the study of metaphysics, the problem of evil, and Islamic philosophy and theology, with particular emphasis on the teachings of 11th century philosopher Ibn Sina (Avicenna). Professor Inati has been teaching Islamic philosophy and theology courses at Villanova University in Pennsylvania since 1987.

Dr. Shams Inati holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, History, and Education from the American University of Beirut and a PhD in Philosophy from the State University of New York at Buffalo. While studying for her doctorate at SUNY Buffalo, Dr. Shams Inati earned the position of SUNY Intercampus Fellow. Following that, she won numerous awards and grants, including a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant for the period from 1979 to 1982, a 1983-1984 Andrew Mellon Fellowship in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania, a United States Department of Defense grant in 1993, and the prestigious honor of being named a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Balamand in Lebanon from 2003 to 2004. Dr. Inati has also been a Presenter of the Walter Powell Distinguished Lecture Series in Philosophy at Linfield College and has served as a visiting scholar at the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies in Amman, Jordan.

In addition to her work at Villanova University, Professor Shams Inati also maintains a career as a prolific writer. Her body of work ranges from books, chapters, and articles to encyclopedia and dictionary entries. Recent works include a book titled The Problem of Evil: Ibn Sina's Theodicy, published by Global Publications; an article in the Journal of Oriental Studies titled "The Place of Aesthetics in Islamic Philosophy"; and an entry on theological determinism in the Encyclopedia of Philosophy published by Macmillan Reference USA.