List of articles (by subject) Studies on Islamic philosophy and wisdom
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Open Access Article
1 - A Critical Study of Ibn Sīnā’s Arguments on the Materialism of Particular Perceptive Experience with an Emphasis on the Problem of “Explanatory Gap”
Ahmad Va’ezi Mehdi KarimiBy doubting the materiality of perceptions based on the problem of explanatory gap, a rational basis is provided for criticizing Ibn Sīnā’s arguments regarding the impossibility of the immateriality of particular perceptions, the demonstration of possibility, and also t MoreBy doubting the materiality of perceptions based on the problem of explanatory gap, a rational basis is provided for criticizing Ibn Sīnā’s arguments regarding the impossibility of the immateriality of particular perceptions, the demonstration of possibility, and also the necessity of the immateriality of different types of perception. The material interpretation of particular perceptions – whether sensory or imaginal – is among Ibn Sīnā’s views in the ontology of perception. Through providing some arguments on the impossibility of the immateriality of particular perceptive experiences, he believes that the only possible state with respect to such experiences is their immateriality. On the other hand, hypothesizing the existence of a possible world in which a metaphysical state such as pain can be imagined in the absence of a neural process makes the distinction between mental state and neural process possible. This explanatory gap between them makes the immateriality of perception possible through negating the identity of these two phenomena. Given the distinction between physical and metaphysical states and the necessity of the immateriality of perception based on various philosophical arguments, the materiality of particular perception is debatable. Therefore, Mullā Ṣadrā’s idea of the immateriality of sensory and imaginal perception, similar to rational perceptions, presents a more comprehensive explanation of perception and the soul. This paper focus on a study of the whatness and ontology of particular perceptions, the discussion of which is subcategorized under the problem of the soul-body relation in the process of perception. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
2 - A Study of the Role of Qur’anic Teachings in Philosophical Theology
Aireza AsadiSome opponents of philosophy and many Orientalists believe that Islamic Philosophy simply repeats the words and views of Greek philosophers and is not only totally far from Islamic teachings but also sometimes in opposition to them. Through explaining the extent of the MoreSome opponents of philosophy and many Orientalists believe that Islamic Philosophy simply repeats the words and views of Greek philosophers and is not only totally far from Islamic teachings but also sometimes in opposition to them. Through explaining the extent of the influence of the Holy Qur’an on a rational and philosophical discussion and a study of the works of Islamic philosophers, this paper aims to demonstrate that they have benefitted from Qur’anic teachings in order to expand and develop philosophical discussions and, particularly, philosophical theology. In other words, it intends to prove that the qualitative and quantitative expansion of philosophical problems, arguments, theories, and principles in the field of philosophical theology is indebted to Qur’anic teachings. This influence is to the extent that it has led to the conceptual and structural evolution of Greek philosophy and differentiates the general approach of Islamic philosophy from Greek philosophy. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
3 - Goodness of Justice: An Intellectual or Rational Theorem?
Mohammad Imami حسین فرزانه“Justice is good” and “cruelty is bad” are two of the most frequently used principles and propositions in various disciplines. Mutikallimun consider these two propositions to be rational, primary necessary, evident, certain, and needless of reasoning. However, some phil More“Justice is good” and “cruelty is bad” are two of the most frequently used principles and propositions in various disciplines. Mutikallimun consider these two propositions to be rational, primary necessary, evident, certain, and needless of reasoning. However, some philosophers deny their evidence and certainty and consider them as generally accepted propositions that bear no truth except for conforming to thinkers’ views. Certainty in relation to these two propositions means believing in the correctness of their use in arguments and production of scientific results, and indemonstrability refers to their dialectical application. Some believe that the indemonstrability in the interpretation of such propositions would undermine the basis of moral propositions. The question here is why there is so much controversy about these two apparently evident propositions. The findings of this descriptive-analytic study reveal that the solution must be found in distinguishing between “intellectual goodness” and “rational goodness”. When these two propositions are considered as individual intellectual propositions, they are hypothetical and genetic judgments; however, at a rational social level, they are evident and, of course, mentally posited and, unlike the general view of logicians, they must be viewed as certain propositions (not as generally accepted ones). In addition, some statements such as “They have no basis but popularity”, which are used by some philosophers and logicians about the two propositions, are not used to deny their reality. Rather, they are intended to deny the evidence and necessity of these two propositions in intellectual analyses. Thus, no damage is done to their support for moral propositions. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
4 - Demonstration of Change in Metaphysical Worlds Based on Two Different Foundations
Seyedeh Zahra Mousavi Baygi Seyyed Morteza Hosseini Shahrudi Abbas JavareshkiyanSeveral problems have been produced in the process of philosophy’s interaction with religious theorems. One of the new discussions that has attracted great attention during the last decades pertains to purgatorial and otherworldly perfection of the souls. On the one han MoreSeveral problems have been produced in the process of philosophy’s interaction with religious theorems. One of the new discussions that has attracted great attention during the last decades pertains to purgatorial and otherworldly perfection of the souls. On the one hand, based on the principles and explicit theories of most philosophers and Mullā Ṣadrā’s words, the perfection of the soul after its separation from the elemental body is impossible. On the other hand, some sentences in Qur’anic verses and Islamic traditions refer to the perfection of the soul in metaphysical worlds. Such differences have persuaded researchers and thinkers to find some solutions. Following an analytic-inferential method, this paper seeks to provide an answer to the question of whether the soul is subject to any change and motion after its separation from the body based on both common philosophical principles and Mullā Ṣadrā’s gnostic approach. The findings of this study indicate that, based on philosophers’ principles, changes in the states of souls after death is an acceptable view of the type of sequence of forms and manifestation of developed habits and forms in the world of nature. Moreover, according to a gnostic reading of the Transcendent Philosophy, changes in metaphysical worlds are certain and of the same type of change in the material world. However, in this approach change and motion are not used in their common philosophical senses and are, rather, used in the sense of departure from undifferentiation to differentiation and manifestation. In this way, the authors provide a rational explanation of change and motion in this paper relying on philosophical principles and through presenting a new definition of motion. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
5 - God’s Knowledge of Particulars in the Views of Ibn Sīnā and Thomas Aquinas
Mohammad Mahmoodi Hossein Kalbasi AshtariOne of the fundamental questions in the field of philosophical theology is whether God has the knowledge of particulars. Some philosophers have tried to either demonstrate or deny the divine knowledge of particulars regardless of the term “God”, which is a controversial MoreOne of the fundamental questions in the field of philosophical theology is whether God has the knowledge of particulars. Some philosophers have tried to either demonstrate or deny the divine knowledge of particulars regardless of the term “God”, which is a controversial issue. In a philosophical tradition that began with Plato and Aristotle and was advocated by Ibn Sīnā, the divine knowledge of particulars is denied. However, within the framework of the same philosophical school, Thomas Aquinas, as a theologian, demonstrates this knowledge for God. In Ibn Sīnā’s view, there is a fundamental difference between quiddity and existence as two different levels of being. The Necessary Being is the cause of granting existence to quiddities and, thus, cannot know them in terms of their particulars, as they lack “existence” in separation from Him. However, Ibn Sīnā does not deny the divine knowledge of particulars through their “existence”. In Aquinas’ theological concept of God, as a personal God, the denial of the divine knowledge of particulars defaces the divine power. Moreover, in case of denying this Knowledge, Man, who is created by God, will be placed at a higher level than their Creator because they can gain the knowledge of particulars. Aquinas, who speaks as a theologian here, ignores the borderline between philosophy and theology and objects to Ibn Sīnā by stating that some universals such as “animal” and “human” cannot function as the distinctive features of a particular such as “Socrates” in comparison to others. The present paper provides a comparative analysis of the views of these two philosophers regarding God’s knowledge of particulars. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
6 - Morphology of Practical Wisdom and the Role of Five Crafts
Ahmad Mohammadi PeiroThere is an inseparable connection between practical and theoretical wisdom. The five crafts, as a part of theoretical wisdom, can play a role in practical wisdom, which is used sometimes as knowledge and sometimes as temperament or virtue. The present study was conduct MoreThere is an inseparable connection between practical and theoretical wisdom. The five crafts, as a part of theoretical wisdom, can play a role in practical wisdom, which is used sometimes as knowledge and sometimes as temperament or virtue. The present study was conducted to answer the question of the extent and quality of the role that the five crafts play, firstly, in producing the cognitive elements of practical wisdom and, secondly, in the origins of the emanation of act. It also aims to identify the factors and variables in relation to the five crafts that construct the practical wisdom. The significance of explaining the relationship between the two types of wisdom lies in the fact that mental habits determine the human identity, and that the five crafts are mental habits that can play a role in determining the human life by influencing the origins of emanation of acts. As a result, they can affect all aspects of human life, such as academic, social, or political ones. In this paper, the author initially introduces the five crafts and, particularly, their common features based on logical books. Then, following a descriptive-analytic approach, he examines their effects on the elements of cognitive and temperamental practical wisdom. The first section discusses an epistemological turn of erroneous concepts and judgements, the efficiency of the methodology of practical wisdom, formation of mentally-posited concepts at the level of act, and attainment of the intellection of practical wisdom by different human beings. The second section explains the regulation of the particular task of practical wisdom, the development of the skill of matching cognitive affairs with administrative ones, affecting the cognitive origins of emanation of acts, and the formation of human acts as the results of the study. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
7 - Problem of Immortality of the Soul in ‘Allāmah Ṭabātabā’ī’s Philosophy
Ghasem Pourhasan Hossein Kalbasi Ashtari Alireza Kolbadinezad‘Allāmah Ṭabātabā’ī’s view of the immortality of the soul is based on his monotheistic worldview. He has tried to respond to the most challenging discussions and objections in relation to the immortality of the soul regarding the problems of essential happiness and affl More‘Allāmah Ṭabātabā’ī’s view of the immortality of the soul is based on his monotheistic worldview. He has tried to respond to the most challenging discussions and objections in relation to the immortality of the soul regarding the problems of essential happiness and affliction, cancellation, excommunication, and immortality in chastisement. Relying on rational principles and the Transcendent Philosophy and through benefitting from some principles including the principiality of existence, the graded trans-substantial motion, the unity of the truth of the soul and gradation of existence, ‘Allāmah Ṭabātabā’ī has provided a new interpretation of the resurrection and eternity of the soul. Through propounding the problem of eternity, the present paper aims to explain its relation to human purposes and ultimate goals, which are the same as the realization of the true totality of human beings in the light of the soul’s resurrection and eternity. In line with this purpose, the authors have discussed the innovative aspects of his view concerning immortality as well as its epistemological consequences and outcomes. They have also tried to respond to some of the objections raised against the immortality of the soul based on ‘Allāmah’s principles. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
8 - A Critical Study of Suhrawardī’s Method of Defining Things
Mohammad HosseinzadehSuhrawardī has leveled five criticisms in order to demonstrate the inefficiency of the Peripatetic theory of definition and, in return, has suggested another method for defining things. This method, which is known as the “conceptual definition”, is based on a common sen MoreSuhrawardī has leveled five criticisms in order to demonstrate the inefficiency of the Peripatetic theory of definition and, in return, has suggested another method for defining things. This method, which is known as the “conceptual definition”, is based on a common sense understanding of the meanings of words. According to this method, words are defined through providing their conceptual bases in the view of linguists or the people of language. Here, the author firstly explains Suhrawardī’s method of defining things and then examines it critically. The critical analysis of his view reveals that the logical conclusion of his criticism of the Peripatetic theory of definition is the correction of this theory through employing intuition rather than leaving the definition of things based on their quiddity aside and advocating the theory of conceptual definition. Moreover, Suhrawardī’s theory of definition, as a replacement for its Peripatetic counterpart, suffers from several problems. Therefore, even if Suhrawardī’s objections to the Peripatetics’ theory of definition are accepted, his own method in this regard is not acceptable by itself. At the end of this paper, the author explains and criticizes the views of a contemporary researcher of Suhrawardī’s ideas who believes that the relationship between Ibn Sīnā’s and Suhrawardī’s logic of definition is one of completion rather than difference. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
9 - An Explanation of Critical Thinking in Constructivist Approach (a Qur’ānic Deconstructive Analysis)
Heydar IsmailpourTheories of critical thinking are generally divided into two groups: theories that describe the positive and negative characteristics of various phenomena, such as human beings, and the Qur’ānic theory indicating that critical thinking should be based on believing in th MoreTheories of critical thinking are generally divided into two groups: theories that describe the positive and negative characteristics of various phenomena, such as human beings, and the Qur’ānic theory indicating that critical thinking should be based on believing in the open, creative, and infinite knowledge of God. Challenging the content of the first approach paves the way for introducing the creative and variable approach to knowledge. In this way, education adopts a religious and unlimited nature more than ever before. The non-restrictive aspect dominates knowledge and, as a result, the content of educational courses based on critical thinking and is developed under the influence of other dimensions of a philosophical system, including values and knowledge. The open and unlimited process of Qur’ānic critical thinking leads to the priority of creative approaches and their effective incorporation into education. The present study aims to explain a kind of critical thinking based on a constructive approach to the open and unlimited Qur’ānic critical knowledge. Deconstruction means analyzing and reviewing each subject through decentralizing it and discovering some of its new other dimensions that are usually neglected. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
10 - Against the Law of Causality and the Related Responses Based on the Principles of the Transcendent Philosophy
Hossein OshshaqiFakhr al-Dīn Rāzī, one of the prominent Ash‘arī mutikallimun, has raised 18 objections against the law of causality in his al-Maṭālib al-‘alīyah min al-‘ilm al-ilāhī. He has quoted these objections from others; however, it seems that he has raised them himself. Muḥaqiq MoreFakhr al-Dīn Rāzī, one of the prominent Ash‘arī mutikallimun, has raised 18 objections against the law of causality in his al-Maṭālib al-‘alīyah min al-‘ilm al-ilāhī. He has quoted these objections from others; however, it seems that he has raised them himself. Muḥaqiq Lāḥijī has responded to some of these objections in his Shawāriq al-ilhām. Nevertheless, most of them have remained unanswered. In the present paper, the author has referred to 15 of the most important questions and provided others’ responses to them. Most of these objections have not been answered while they can be based on the Transcendent Philosophy. Therefore, the author has provided a summary of Fakhr al-Dīn Rāzī’s words and then tried to answer them relying on the principles of Sadrian Transcendent Philosophy. Some of these objections cannot be answered based on any of the principles of Peripatetic, Illuminationist, and Transcendent Philosophies and should be answered based on gnostic principles. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
11 - Place of Intuitive Method in Islamic Philosophy
Rasoul NaderiIslamic philosophy is mainly identified by its use of demonstration and method. However, a study of philosophical texts in Islamic tradition indicates that the intuitive method holds an important place in this field. This method employs gnostic intuition and unveiling i MoreIslamic philosophy is mainly identified by its use of demonstration and method. However, a study of philosophical texts in Islamic tradition indicates that the intuitive method holds an important place in this field. This method employs gnostic intuition and unveiling in order to attain certain knowledge. The intuitive method was used in all the three major schools of Islamic philosophy; nevertheless, it was employed systematically and in an organized fashion for the first time in the Transcendent Philosophy. While emphasizing the use of rational method, Mullā Ṣadrā has also benefitted from the intuitive method to a large extent. The functions of this method are employed in two contexts: discovery and justification. In the context of discovery, Muslim philosophers have utilized the intuitive method to explain new philosophical problems and present a correct picture of some philosophical issues. In the context of justification, they have used it to discover middle terms, unveil fallacies, reconstruct demonstration, amend conclusions, and demonstrate rational arguments. Manuscript profile