Ibn al-Arabi and Chuang-tzu were and continue to be very influential to the study of both religion and philosophy. Their separate notions of dream and reality have survived through the centuries and we continue to attempt to explain and analyze them today. In this paper I will first examine Ibn al-Arabi's concept of dream and reality and then move on to study Chuang-tzu's thoughts on the subject. After reviewing both of these constructs I will compare and contrast some of the similarities and differences between the two. Through this analysis I will show that although they were written hundreds of years and thousands of miles apart, their conclusions on dream and reality are strikingly similar.

The Philosophers

Ibn al-Arabi was one of the world's most profound Islamic thinkers. Born in 1165 C.E. in Spain, this mystic, poet, sage and philosopher was celebrated for his exceptional teaching ability and...